It will be his first competition since he made headlines last month when he fought off a shark on live television during a competition in South Africa.
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The story on the opening day at the Billabong Pro Tahiti was that a strong southerly and misty conditions were making the waves choppy with few good barrels to be found and it was a matter of wave selection being key.
“Surfing’s given us so much, you’ve just got to keep focusing on the good things”.
“I was just like, ‘Are you for real, what’s going on here?'” he told the tour’s organizers.
“I lucked out with just a five and a six and it was enough really”.
“He’s been very positive – I think Tahiti is a special place for him over the years, he’s won the event before, so I think he’s been looking forward to it, and despite some tricky conditions today, he’s doing really well in his round one heat”, Mr Prodan told the TODAY Show co-host Cameron Williams.
The three time world champion said he was keen to put the ordeal in South Africa behind him as he bids for a fourth world title.
“Over here it’s a different kettle of fish, it’s the wave that’s the solid part of it and that’s what you’ve got to focus on”.
Despite his experiences, Fanning – now ranked second on the tour – said he wanted to resume competitive surfing as soon as possible after the attack.
“Over here it’s pretty unlikely you’re going to see any big Great Whites”, Fanning said.
“I’ve been here many times”.
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Fanning told the Daily Telegraph he had not sought professional help following the attack but would “talk it out” with his family and friends. “I talk about it when I need to”.
