Too close for comfort! Professional surfer Mick Fanning endured a terrifying moment on Sunday, July 19, during a competition in South Africa. The Aussie was in the water when suddenly two large fins came toward him.
The two sharks attacked, grabbing his board as he flailed and attempted to get away. Fortunately, several rescuers rode up in jetskis, and grabbed Fanning out of the water.
He survived unscathed, and gave a shaky interview moments after the attack.
“I was just sitting there and then I felt something grab,” Fanning said after the terrifying moment was caught on film. “It just kept coming at my board and I just kept kicking and screaming. I just saw fins. I was waiting for the teeth to come at me as I was swimming. I punched it in the back.”
The World Surf League canceled the remainder of the competition following Fanning’s incident. He will receive second place points and the prize money will be split between him and fellow surfer Julian Wilson, who was in the water at the same time.
