Surfer fights off shark attack during competition

[2curlydogs]

WTMF. 

Video at link

www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pro-surfer-mick-fanning-attacked-shark-during-competition-south-africa-n394641?cid=sm_fb


Watch Surfer Mick Fanning Fight Off Shark Attack 1:38

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A three-time world champion surfer had a close encounter with a shark during a competition in South Africa on Sunday — and the dramatic ordeal was captured on live television.



Australian surfer Mick Fanning fended off an attack and escaped the tense confrontation unscathed. But the scare led organizers of the J-Bay Open in Eastern Cape to cancel the finals.



In terrifying footage broadcast on live TV, Fanning can be seen fighting to stay on his board as the shark thrashes violently in the water. The World Surf League initially said two sharks were involved but later revised the number.



Rescuers quickly responded to the scene. Fanning and another finalist, Julian Wilson, were brought to shore by boat, according to the World Surf League.



"I punched it in the back," Fanning told a reporter after the scary incident, which happened at about 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET).



The World Surf league canceled the competition hours after the attack.

"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," it said in a statement.



Second place points and prize money will be split between Fanning and Wilson, World Surf League commissioner Kieren Perrow said.



Perrow said the finalists were not concerned with the affect the decision would have on the standings. "I think both of them weren't thinking about the points or the prize money at all," Perrow said.



"I'm happy to not even compete ever again," Fanning told a reporter after he was brought back to the safety of the beach by a boat. "I just want to let all my family and friends know, I'm okay," he said. "I'm just tripping out."



Wilson, who watched the struggle unfold, said he was afraid his fellow competitor wasn't going to make it out of the water alive.



"I was like, 'He's going under.' I felt like I couldn't get there quick enough," Wilson said. "I'm just happy that he's alive."

[underwaterrhymes]

I'm glad he's okay.

But when you enter the ocean looking like a seal in an area that is known for great whites, you can't be too mad at the shark.

[KateAggie]

I loved that the live announcer said "holy shit." Because yes.

[EloiseWeenie]

I watched the video about 6 times yesterday. It's so crazy! I saw the interview with Wilson (the other finalist in the water with Fanning at the time), and he began crying as he said he couldn't swim towards Fanning fast enough, to try to help him. I'm so happy they weren't injured.

[litebright]

When this was posted on ML, it was linked to the initial broadcast. This looks like the continuous footage from the camera that captured the attack, which I hadn't seen.

Someone pointed out that when the surfer disappeared behind a wave, the broadcast shifted very quickly to a different camera that showed a wide shot of the competition, where you couldn't see details -- if things had gone badly, the close-up footage might have been awful. The commentators were describing him swimming toward the shore and then the rescue boat, so clearly they could see the feed from the other camera, but the broadcast didn't shift back to him until he was clearly safe and uninjured.

I thought that quick thinking deserved kudos, making sure that they didn't broadcast this guy getting badly injured or killed.