An attack in full competition
The surfer was participating in the final of the J-Bay Open, which he had won last year. He was going to surf for the 6th round of the world tour, on the spot of Jeffreys Bay, in South Africa. Sitting on his board, at the line-up, about 150 meters from the shore, he was attacked by a shark. We could see, from the beach, the fin of the beast, running on him.
He bit my leash and I felt my board being pulled to the bottom, I struggled, I punched him in the back!
said, very shocked, Fanning on the boat of the assistance, reports the French federation of surfing.
A quick rescue
The security team immediately went to the rescue of Mike Fanning and his competitor, Julian Wilson. The surfer could be seen climbing onto the jet-ski. Even if a 2nd shark was mentioned, the security confirmed that there was only one animal, a big white shark.
The miraculous man escaped unscathed, only his leash having been cut. It is with great emotion that he confided I'm just happy to be alive
on his return to the beach. He also thanked the rescue teams, who acted very quickly, as well as his fellow surfer, who went to his aid.
The competition that had been suspended was finally cancelled after discussions with the two finalists. They both finish at the 2nd place e place ex aequo.
Surfing competitions suspended due to the presence of sharks
Even if the spot of Jeffreys Bay is known to shelter sharks, especially great whites. This is the first time a surfer has been attacked during a WSL competition
commented Renato Hickel, the tour manager who has been with the entity for over 20 years. Two years ago, the presence of a white shark near the Snapper Rocks spot in Australia forced the Quik Pro organizers to suspend the competition.
The testimony of a miracle worker
I was waiting to catch my first wave and I had seen Julian (Wilson) score his first points. I was just about to start paddling when I had an instinct that something was behind me. The shark came towards me and attacked me. It slammed into me and I threw a few punches. I was dragged down by the leash. I immediately jumped off my board. It was very big, it came from below and bit my leash. I felt him brush against my leg and I managed to hit him on the back. I saw his fins, but not his teeth. I was waiting to see his teeth. My leash then broke and I had to swim away. I yelled at Julian to get out of the water, but he came to help me. He is a hero! I prepared for the shark to come back to me and turned around hoping to see it coming. The jet ski then arrived to pick me up and I was able to get into the boat. I am safe, but in shock. I'm just glad to be here
explained the surfer after his rescue.
