Fanning’s shark attack is all the talk on social media, after the star surfer was surprised by what is said to be a Big White shark, while competing in the J-Bay Open off the coast of South Africa on Sunday.
Advertisement
South Africa’s waters are well known for shark attacks and sightings, including at Jeffreys Bay, in the Eastern Cape province, which is recognised as one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world.
I mean, check out how calm Mick Fanning is about five minutes after getting attacked by two sharks.
“I felt something grab, get stuck in my leg rope and instantly jump away”.
Fanning managed to skirt disaster and leave the water with some damage to his board and one devastated leash, which serves as a reminder at just how close he came to being the ultimate in surfing sacrifices.
He was then taken away by an emergency boat without an injury following the death-defying stunt.
The World Surf League issued a statement saying it values the safety of its competitors and for that reason, the remainder of the J-Bay Open has been cancelled.
“When Sean was killed in the vehicle accident, I didn’t see it. I saw this just in front of me”.
Despite being knocked off his board a shaken Fanning returned to shore unharmed with the help of event organisers. To walk away from that, I’m just so stoked.
Fanning and Julian Wilson were immediately pulled from the water by a nearby safety boat.
After the incident Fanning told reporters how he was waiting for the shark’s teeth to bite down.
“Mick said this morning that he’d be glad never to surf in a contest again but that was in the post-shock of the incident”.
“I’m totally fine. I’ve got nothing wrong with me”.
WSL commissioner Kieren Perrow added: “We are incredibly grateful that no one was seriously injured today”.
“Sharks occasionally attack but most of the time they attack they don’t finish off their prey at all – they taste it and move on”, he said.
“For it to happen in that fashion during the finals, where it actually showed that insane aggression toward Mick Fanning, such a insane thing”, he said on the video.
Advertisement
Penna said any return to the water from Fanning would have significant consequences with the next leg of the men’s world tour not scheduled until the Billabong Pro in Tahiti on August 14.
