Mick Fanning, a pro surfer, surfing in a competition in South Africa, was attacked by a huge shark on live TV. There were reportedly two sharks trolling Fanning.
The event was then canceled Sunday at the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League Championship Tour, Fanning escaped the attack by punching and kicking the beast.
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“I had this feeling that something was behind (me), and all of a sudden I felt like I started getting pulled underwater. And then the thing came up and I was on my board and it was right there,” Fanning said.
“I had this thought, ‘What if it comes around for another go at me?’” he said. “Before I knew it, the boat was there. … I can’t believe it, I was tripping out. I’m totally tripping out.” h/t pix11
Video of the incident appears to show two sharks circling the three-time World Surf League champion. The Water Safety Team pulled Fanning and fellow competitor Julian Wilson out of the waters to safety.
Fanning escaped with a severed leash on his surfboard. He told World Surf League TV that he “punched” the shark “in the back” to scare it away.
