Everyone has seen the movie “Jaws” and has, for a time, at least, had a fear of sharks. Well, not professional surfers, especially the world renowned Mick Fanning (https://twitter.com/mick_fanning). In fact, he was recently part of a shark attack during a competition, but was able to escape unscathed.
The Shark Attack Incident
The incident occurred during the World Surf League’s (http://www.worldsurfleague.com/) J-Bay Open, a surfing competition, that was being held off the coast of South Africa in Jeffrey’s Bay. The 34 year old surfer was out on his board doing his thing for the judges. Fanning told reporters that he “had this instinct that something was behind [him].” He then went on to say, “And then all of the sudden, I felt like I started getting pulled underwater. Then the [shark] came up, and I was on my board and it was like right there, and I saw the whole thing thrashing around.” …show more content…
Luckily, Fanning had some semblance of what to do in the situation of a shark attack.
How Fanning Survived
By flailing about and making as much noise as he could, it seems that Fanning saved himself from the shark attack. He told reporters that the shark had him by his leg wrap that kept him attached to his surfboard. He felt as though he was being pulled under by the creature. Eventually, after what must have felt like hours of battling this animal, his leg wrap broke and the surfer was able to get free of the shark. He then proceeded to swim frantically away and scream as loud as he could for help. Crews quickly came to his aid on jet skis and boats and were able to pull him out of the water to safety.
The Aftermath
Fanning insisted that he wasn’t hurt in any way. He said the only things that were damaged were his surfboard and his leg wrap. Reporters on scene noticed that he was understandably visibly shaken,
The Shark Attack Incident
The incident occurred during the World Surf League’s (http://www.worldsurfleague.com/) J-Bay Open, a surfing competition, that was being held off the coast of South Africa in Jeffrey’s Bay. The 34 year old surfer was out on his board doing his thing for the judges. Fanning told reporters that he “had this instinct that something was behind [him].” He then went on to say, “And then all of the sudden, I felt like I started getting pulled underwater. Then the [shark] came up, and I was on my board and it was like right there, and I saw the whole thing thrashing around.” …show more content…
Luckily, Fanning had some semblance of what to do in the situation of a shark attack.
How Fanning Survived
By flailing about and making as much noise as he could, it seems that Fanning saved himself from the shark attack. He told reporters that the shark had him by his leg wrap that kept him attached to his surfboard. He felt as though he was being pulled under by the creature. Eventually, after what must have felt like hours of battling this animal, his leg wrap broke and the surfer was able to get free of the shark. He then proceeded to swim frantically away and scream as loud as he could for help. Crews quickly came to his aid on jet skis and boats and were able to pull him out of the water to safety.
The Aftermath
Fanning insisted that he wasn’t hurt in any way. He said the only things that were damaged were his surfboard and his leg wrap. Reporters on scene noticed that he was understandably visibly shaken,