It's Truly Frightening What Happened to Halt This Surfing Competition

Updated on 7/20/2015 at 12:45 PM

This has got to be one of the most terrifying, emotional, and epically heart-pounding moments in pro surfing history. Mick Fanning, a 34-year-old finalist in the J-Bay Open surfing competition in South Africa, was awaiting his turn in the water, just about to catch his first wave of the final heat, when we catch a glimpse of a huge fin approaching behind him. Fanning said, "I felt like it was dragging me underwater, and then my leg rope broke, and I started swimming and screaming." Rescue boats as well as fellow finalist Julian Wilson came to his aid, collectively breathing a sigh of relief once he was found safe and unharmed. Watch Fanning's harrowing ordeal unfold on live TV above (slightly NSFW thanks to some understandably shocked announcers).

Check out the pic of Mick's cut leash, the only damage left from this horrifying experience as well as a tiny scratch on his hand, probably from punching the shark, which he said he did to scare it away.

After the near-death scare, the World Surf League (obviously) canceled the rest of the event. Both Fanning and Wilson agreed to take second place in the competition, and the prize money for first place was split between the two. Mick posted this to Instagram:

So thankful to be able to have this hug with @julian_wilson this man came to my aid like a warrior!! It was by far the scariest thing I have ever been through and am still rattled. In our sport we always think about sharks and know we are in their domain. Many thanks to all the people that have reached out and sent their wishes. Jbay is an incredible place and I will go back one day. Thanks to the @wsl announcers and water patrol for being on top of us and the care they showed us and to all my friends on tour that were by my side. Love you all.

A photo posted by Mick Fanning (@mfanno) on Jul 20, 2015 at 7:39am PDT

Totally in shock after the ordeal, Fanning said, "I just can't believe it. I'm just tripping . . . To walk away from that, I'm just so stoked." And Wilson told CNN, "We kind of coexist with sharks in the water. We go to places that certainly have the greatest waves in the world. But it comes with some danger. It's a very unpredictable sport. I think that's what draws many of the athletes to it." Sounds like even a shark attack like this won't keep them from getting back on their boards.