Mick Fanning Fights Off Attacking Sharks

San Diego surfers beware, a startling reminder that you never know when a shark might decide to come out and play. 

The J-Bay Open surf competition in South Africa has been delayed after professional surfer Mick Fanning was attacked by a pair of sharks on Sunday.

Fortunately for Fanning, he was able to fight off and get away from the sharks, and get out of the water unharmed, though he was pretty disturbed about the situation. The whole incident was caught on camera as the tournament was being televised.

In the live feed of the incident audiences can hear the horror in the announcers voices as they see the sharks fins approach Fanning in the water. Fanning, trying to recount the story for reporters said this:

“I was just sitting there…and then I felt something grab, like get stuck in my leg rope and I just instantly just jumped away and they just kept coming at my board and I was just like kicking and screaming,” he said. “I just saw fins. I didn’t see the teeth. I punched it in the back.”

Fanning and a fellow surfer who was also in the water at the time, Julian Wilson, were both picked up on jet skis by safety personnel, and thankfully no one was harmed.

Though it was no where near San Diego, it should still be a wake up call for all surfers to be more cautious when they decide to paddle out.

(Not So) Fun Fact: 

When is the last time that San Diego area has had a Shark sighting? Well, the answer to that is actually about a week ago, July 14th. The Oceanside Fire Department and Life-Guard Division confirmed that there was a 6-foot Great White Shark swimming 500-yards off of Oceanside Pier Beach.

So if you decide to hit the water catch some waves, make sure you stay alert out there, surfers.