A professional surfer had a close encounter with two sharks during a competition in South Africa on Sunday — and the whole 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 at least one of the sharks thrashes violently in the water.
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).
Exclusive interview with @Mick_Fanning after the #JBayOpen shark attack. Full story here http://t.co/Nwfr7XdCQC http://t.co/nbPWrxfJik
— #JBayOpen (@wsl) July 19, 2015The 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.”
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