Meanwhile, Fanning’s close mate Julian Wilson, who he was surfing against when he was attacked, also had a victorious return winning his opening heat against Hawaii’s Sebastian Zeitz and compatriot Garrett Parkes.
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Kelly Cestari-World Surf League/Getty Images Mick Fanning of Australia won his first heat back in competition at the Billabong Pro Tahiti after his shark encounter in South Africa four weeks ago in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia, on August 15, 2015.
With a successful return behind him, Fanning now wants to focus on winning his fourth world championship.
Last month, Fanning was knocked off his board and had his leg rope severed by a shark while he sat in the line-up out at Jeffreys Bay for the final of the JBay Open.
“I’m very excited to be back in the water competing”.
“Approaching from the side, like what happened in Mick Fanning’s case, could be a relevant factor but when you’re seeing something as a silhouette from below, whatever colour it is probably doesn’t make too much of a difference”.
“Over here it’s pretty unlikely you’re going to see any big Great Whites”, Fanning said.
“I lucked out with just a five and a six and it was enough really”.
“Tahiti has a vibrant wildlife as well – but I think really out there in Teahupoo it’s the wave most people are concerned about. I’m comfortable with the wave, it’s just a matter of surfing right at the right time”.
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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.
