A video showing a professional surfer escape an encounter with two sharks has gone viral. Mick Fanning was competing in the final of a surf competition, the J-Bay Open, in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa when he was attacked by one of the sharks. Fanning was uninjured but the J-Bay Open has been cancelled in the wake of the attack.
Julian Wilson, Mick Fanning’s competition in the J-Bay Open final, was also pulled from the water after the shark attacked Fanning.
Read More: Australian Shark Attack Survivor Can’t Wait To Get Back Out Fishing.
Footage shows Fanning on his surfboard when a shark’s dorsal fin approaches him from behind. The shark begins to attack and Fanning is knocked off his board. There’s a few tense moments where, as the waves obscure the camera’s view, it’s impossible to see Fanning.
Fortunately, moments later he is seen swimming away from the scene and the shark’s fin is nowhere to be seen. Two of the competition organiser’s jet skis and a safety boat quickly appear on the scene and Fanning jumps on a sledge pulled by one of them.
Fanning’s fellow finalist, Australia’s Julian Wilson, was also pulled out of the water by one of the safety boats.
Fanning, speaking soon after he out of the water, explained what happened, as the BBC reports.
“I was just sitting there and I felt something just get stuck in my leg rope, and I was kicking trying to get it away,” Fanning said.
Mike Fanning Was Attacked By A Shark Whilst Competing In A Competition In South Africa:
“I just saw fins. I was waiting for the teeth,” he added when asked what he saw during the attack.
The competition was called off following Fanning’s escape. Fanning is the defending champion but both he and Wilson decided to split the prize money and accept second place points in the World Surfer League.
The World Surf League issued a statement after the competition was cancelled, they said:
“We are incredibly grateful that no one was seriously injured today. Mick’s composure and quick acting in the face of a terrifying situation was nothing short of heroic and the rapid response of our Water Safety personnel was commendable – they are truly world class at what they do.”
Watch The Full Video Of Mick Fanning’s Narrow Escape:
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