News Digest

Shark attack surfer Mick Fanning tells of ‘mental and emotional trauma’

The top surfer who survived a shark attack during a televised competition in South Africa says he is suffering an “emotional, mental trauma”. Australian Mick Fanning, a triple world champion, managed to punch the animal and escape unhurt. At a news conference in Sydney, Fanning, nicknamed “White Lightning” because of his speed in the water, relived his ordeal. The 34-year-old recalled: “It just came up and went for the tail of my board. Why it didn’t bite (I don’t know).” He said he was determined to get back on his board.

I felt so insignificant, the thing was so powerful and just moved so fast … I just ran on instinct and knew that I had to get away from this thing.

Mick Fanning

The attack happened during the final of the J-Bay Open event in Eastern Cape. Video showed the shark’s fin rising out of the water behind Fanning as he paddled on his board waiting to take his turn. “It just kept coming back and I was on top of it, trying to put my board in between us,” he said. “I guess you’ve seen that footage of when the wave went … My board was off and I was trying to get to my board when the wave went, and it came back again. That’s when I sort of positioned myself away from it, to the side of it, and it was just right there and that’s when I punched it.”

To walk away from a shark attack with not a scratch on you is a miracle really. You just count your lucky stars and if there is someone up there looking out for me, well, thanks.

Mick Fanning