Australia surfing champion Mick Fanning was attacked by a shark
on live television during the final of a world tour event in South Africa on
Sunday night.
Fanning had just begun his heat at Jefferys Bay when he was
knocked off his board and forced to fight for his life. After punching the
shark twice he was immediately fished out of the water by safety crews on jet
skis and was not hurt.
The shark’s fin appears in the water.
The shark’s fin appears in the water. Source: AFP
“It came up and got stuck in my leg rope,” Fanning said from
the jet ski. “I instantly just jumped away. It kept coming at my board and I
was kicking and screaming. I just saw fins. I didn’t see teeth. I was waiting
for the teeth to come at me. I punched it in the back.”
Fanning’s opponent, fellow Australian Julian Wilson, was
also unharmed.
Initial reports claimed Fanning was attacked by two sharks
but it is now believed it was one “very large” great white.
Great white sharks are known to grow to about six metres but
some have reportedly been found measuring more than eight metres.
Fanning was interviewed again on the beach and was unable to
fight back tears when reliving the moment.
“I was just about to start paddling again and all of a
sudden I had this instinct that something was behind me. Then I started getting
pulled under water and the thing came up and I was on my board and it was right
there and I saw the whole thing, it was right there. I was getting dragged
under by my leg rope,” he said.
“I felt like it was dragging me under water and then my leg
rope broke so I started swimming and screaming ... I just can’t believe it, I’m
just tripping out.”
Asked if he felt capable of finishing the event the
following day, Fanning said: “Mate, I’m happy to not even compete again. To walk
away from that, I’m just so stoked.”
The event has been called off. Fanning and Wilson will split
the prizemoney and competition points for first place.
Wilson heroically paddled towards Fanning after seeing the
shark attack. He was also moved to tears when describing what happened.
“It was pretty spooky. I saw the whole thing pop up behind
him. It came up and he was wrestling it. I saw him get knocked off his board
and then a little wave popped up and I thought ‘he’s gone, he’s gone under’. I
felt like I couldn’t get there quick enough,” Wilson said. “I’m just happy he’s
alive.”
Fanning thanked Wilson for his automatic reaction to come
help: “What a legend, coming after me.”
It’s the first time a surfer has been attacked by a shark
during a world tour event. Aussie surfer Taj Burrow reported seeing a shark
during a heat at Jefferys Bay in 2003.
“There’s been plenty of attacks here at Jefferys,” 11-time
world champion Kelly Slater said. “Everyone of us knows the risk when we paddle
out. I probably thought about it 30 times today ... it’s a reality surfing in
Africa.”
South African pro surfer Jordy Smith described the incident
as “the craziest thing to ever happen in professional surfing”. “I am so happy
that (Fanning) is physically OK,” said Smith, in an Instagram post. “I’m sure
something like this doesn’t ever leave your mind. I’m so sorry that this has
happened.”
The commentators calling the heat struggled to describe the
scenes they were witnessing.
“We’ve never seen anything that dramatic and that
frightening,” commentator Joe Turpel said.
Commentator and former tour competitor Ross Williams added:
“No one has ever seen anyone attacked in a heat ... it was such a scary thing
to see him come off his board.”
The World Surf League released the following statement: “We
are incredible 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. The safety of our athletes is a
priority for the WSL and, after discussions with both finalists, we have
decided to cancel the remainder of competition at the J-Bay Open. We appreciate
the ongoing support we have in South Africa and once again want to express out
gratitude to the Water Safety Team.”
Fanning is unlikely to let his close encounter derail his
tilt at a fourth world title, his manager Ronnie Blakey said.
While he says his mate is “wigged out” by the experience, he
doesn’t think he’ll let it come between him and another world title.
“Honestly I don’t think there’s any chance (of him returning
to the water quickly),” Blakey told Triple M.
“He was swimming ashore and I have no idea how he escaped
major injury.
“I don’t think it will be (the end of his surfing career).
He is in a fantastic position to have a run at his fourth world title.
“Going into this final, him and Julian Wilson were battling
for the ratings lead. It’s the halfway mark in the championship tour.
“I think Mick will regroup — there’s about a month before
Tahiti. I think he’s going to have a strong half in the back end of the season.
Everyone at the event believes he’s the man to beat in 2015.”
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