A shark has attacked triple world surfing champion Mick Fanning during a competition in Jeffreys Bay on the eastern Cape of South Africa.
The Australia surfer was actually knocked from his surfboard Sunday at the start of the final of the J-Bay Open and chased by the shark.
“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 told Sky News Australia. “I just saw fins. I was waiting for the teeth.”
Here’s the World Surf League’s play by play of the unexpected action.
Sharks are in the lineup. @Mick_Fanning is OK. The #JBayOpen Final is on STANDBY http://t.co/Kq8bZ5eIA7 http://t.co/FusEoR2EHM
— #JBayOpen (@wsl) July 19, 2015
Due to the shark incident, #JBayOpen has been called OFF for the day. The athletes are unharmed. More info soon http://t.co/Kq8bZ5eIA7 — #JBayOpen (@wsl) July 19, 2015
Shark at #JBayOpen. Thankfully, Mick Fanning is unharmed. https://t.co/Y20L1PpTMD
— #JBayOpen (@wsl) July 19, 2015
The #JBayOpen feed is back ON – we’re covering the shark story LIVE: http://t.co/Kq8bZ5eIA7 pic.twitter.com/hMxspRECYj — #JBayOpen (@wsl) July 19, 2015
And, here’s Mick Fanning when he’s not being harassed by sharks.


Photo World Surf League/Twitter