Shark attack video: Terrifying scenes as pro surfer Mick Fanning escapes

The J-Bay Open surf event in South Africa has been halted after Australian world number four Mick Fanning clashed with a shark.

After Australian surfer Mick Fanning had just completed his run, he was greeted by a shark had every intention of stealing the spotlight.

He was immediately fished out of the water by safety crews on jet skis and was not hurt.

Despite initial fears Fanning could have been mauled in the attack, he was whisked from the water by an emergency patrol vessel that had raced to the scene after being stationed further down the point.

“I was just sitting there and I felt something just get stuck in my leg rope, and I was kicking trying to get it away”, Sky reported the 34-year-old recalling the encounter.

“I was like aah”. While it’s not that clear in the video, reports suggest that he punched the massive shark on its back.

“We have rules and regulations in place for these incidents”, he said. Big sharks. Sharks that want to eat you mid-heat during competitions.

The 34-year-old, who quickly returned to the shore unharmed with the help of organisers, said the animal grabbed his strap.

“This is the first time in professional surfing history (it has happened)”, Hickel said.

Sharks and surfers are not range bedfellows, but they’re not two entities that get along very well.