Mick Fanning is lucky to be alive . The 34-year-old professional surfer was taking part in the J-Bay Open surfing competition in South Africa when a shark suddenly appeared. Said Fanning, “I was just sitting there, and I felt something just get stuck in my leg rope.”
Once Mick realized what was happening, he began furiously kicking the animal, “trying to get it away” from him.
“I just saw fins. I was waiting for the teeth.”
The video of the incident is rather chilling, especially when you consider that the attack happened on live TV. In footage of the incident, viewers can see Mick in the water calmly — and the shark pin that pops up out of the water without warning. The pro surfer is then seen frantically kicking his legs, trying to avoid getting bit.
There is a heart-stopping moment where Fanning disappears from view. Audience members in attendance audibly panic. Thankfully, we see Mick Fanning a few moments later, swimming away from the spot where the dangerous encounter took place.
Shark at #JBayOpen . Thankfully, Mick Fanning is unharmed. https://t.co/Y20L1PpTMD
— #JBayOpen (@wsl) July 19, 2015
There were multiple shark sightings reported shortly after the attack, which led J-Bay Open organizers to call off the remainder of the competition. The event was the sixth stop on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League Championship Tour. WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow has released a statement about what occurred.
“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.”
Mick Fanning’s harrowing encounter was particularly terrifying for his mother , Elizabeth Osborne, who watched helplessly as her son fought for his life. Seventeen years ago, his older brother, Sean, was killed in a car crash. She said that when the shark went after Mick, she wanted to “pull him out through the television.” She was quite sure she had lost another son.
That wasn’t the case, and Osborne said she felt that spirit of Mick’s older brother was watching out for him.
So, how did Mick Fanning get away from the alleged great white shark that wanted to make a meal out of him? The surfer said that he “got a punch in” before beating a hasty retreat.
“I punched it a couple of times. Then my leg rope broke, and I was just swimming.”
It’s actually highly recommended that if you’re ever attacked by a shark, you should try to strike the animal’s eyes and nose. Ideally, you should use something other than your hands or feet, since sharks aren’t afraid to bite off limbs.
Luckily for Mick Fanning, he got away in one piece.
[Image Credit: Fox Sports / YouTube]
