Shark Attack on defending champion Mick Fanning halts J-Bay Open
JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Sunday, July 19, 2015) - The J-Bay Open, Stop No. 6 on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), has been called off following a dramatic incident that involved three-time WSL Champion and defending event winner Mick Fanning (AUS) being attacked by a shark in the opening minutes of the Final against Julian Wilson (AUS).
The scene unfolded live on WorldSurfLeague.com as the Australian essentially fought off the two animals before the Water Safety Team quickly arrived and pulled both Fanning and compatriot Julian Wilson into the safety boat. Despite a severed leash, Fanning remained physically unscathed by the incident.
"We are incredibly grateful that no one was seriously injured today," Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner, said. "Mick's composure and quick acting in the face of a terrifying situation was nothing short of heroic and the rapid response of our Water Safety personnel was commendable - they are truly world class at what they do. The safety of our athletes is a priority for the WSL and, after discussions with both Finalists, we have decided to cancel the remainder of competition at the J-Bay Open. We appreciate the ongoing support we have in South Africa and once again want to express our gratitude to the Water Safety Team."
“I was just sitting there and I felt something grab or get stuck in my leg rope and I instantly just jumped away,” Fanning said. “It just kept coming at my board and I was kicking and screaming. I just saw fins, I didn’t see any teeth. I was waiting for the teeth to come at me as I was swimming. I punched it in the back. I’m totally fine, I’ve got nothing wrong with me. There’s a small depression in my board and my leg rope got bitten and I’m totally tripping out.”
“I was just cruising and waiting for my turn, my opportunity and I knew Julian (Wilson) was down the point,” continued Fanning. “I was just about to get moving and start paddling again and all of a sudden I had this instinct that something was behind me. I started getting pulled underwater and then the thing came up and I was on my board and it was right there. I saw the whole thing thrashing around but I was getting dragged under by my leg rope. I felt like it kicked me off but it was still there going and I was still attached to my board. I felt like I punched it a couple of times and then it was dragging me and then my leg rope broke."
"I started swimming and screaming and yelling at Jules (Julian Wilson) to move as well, but he was coming at me," said Fanning. "What a legend, coming after me. I was swimming in and I turned around and I had this thought, what happens if it comes to have another go at me, so I turned around so I could at least see it coming. Before I knew it the boat was there, the jet skis were there and we were in safely. I just can’t believe it. To walk away from that, I’m just so stoked. I want to let all my family and friends know that I’m okay.”
“Mick (Fanning) was kind of out in no man’s land so I was really watching him and had my eyes on him,” said Wilson. “Mick (Fanning) was looking down the point and I saw the whole thing pop up behind him. It can up and he was wrestling it. I saw him get knocked off his board and then a wave popped up and I thought, ‘he’s gone’. I felt like I couldn’t get there quick enough. The results don’t mean anything to me, I’m just happy he’s alive. I literally thought when I was paddling for him that I wasn’t going to get there in time, especially when I saw him off his board and swimming away. I thought it was going to grab him and take him under. I’m so happy we’re both on the beach right now, I was so worried about Mick’s life.”
Both Fanning and Wilson will receive equal second place and 8,000 points on the Jeep Leaderboard. They will split the prize money between them equally, receiving $70,000 each. The result sees Fanning move up two places to second on rankings, Wilson move up to third and Adriano de Souza (BRA) retain the Jeep leader jersey.
Before the incident occurred the pair were set for an exciting 40-minute all-Australian Final with Wilson searching for his first CT win and Fanning looking to defend his J-Bay Open title and claim his 21st CT victory. The pair has had four previous head-to-head heats with Fanning claiming the win each time.
Earlier in the day the form goofyfooter of the event, Adrian Buchan (AUS), faced Wilson in an all-Australian clash in the opening Semifinal. Buchan won through each Round of competition before losing out to Wilson in the Semifinals, who won through thanks to his heat-high opening score, sending Buchan home in third place. Previously 30th on the Jeep Leaderboard and in need of a good result after a series of early exits this year the result today sees Buchan jump up ten places to 20th on the Jeep Leaderboard and marks his first Semifinal appearance since the 2014 Billabong Pipe Masters.
“At the moment it doesn’t feel great” said Buchan. “I had an opportunity at the end and didn’t really finish, but like you said I feel really proud that I’ve got my year back on track and I felt like I was doing the surfing here to go all the way. It was great to have a good battle out there with Julian (Wilson) in pumping J-Bay. I feel confident at all the locations coming up, I’ve had big results everywhere and I know I can perform at all the spots left. I’m just going to go there and just surf and rely on my instincts and have fun. That’s what I did here and it really worked.”
The second Semifinal saw Kelly Slater (AUS) and Fanning, the two most successful surfers at Jeffreys Bay and long time rivals, battle for a place in the Final. The pair have had 15 previous man-on-man heats in CT history, with Slater taking 9 wins to Fanning’s 6 and their last match-up was the Final in Fiji in 2013. Two 8-point rides from Fanning with less than ten minutes gone left the 11-time World Champion in a combination situation. Slater managed to escape with an excellent 9.43 for a long floater, quick barrel and series of carving turns but was left searching for a 7.30. Fanning sealed the deal with a 9.63 in the final minutes and sailed through to the Final. The Semifinal berth for Slater marks his best result of the season sees him move up to 6th place on the rankings.
“Now I’ve seen it all,” said Slater of the attack. “I was coming up the beach and I saw all the boats and skis go straight to the lineup. I knew there was only one possible reason that would ever happen in a contest and that’s if someone got attacked by a shark. I ran up the beach trying to get some information. I’m halfway between crying and laughing because he (Fanning) got so lucky. I’m lost for words to be honest. We almost just watched our friend get eaten by a shark and I’m just blown away that there’s no damage at all.”
J-Bay Open Final Results:
2 - Mick Fanning (AUS)
2 - Julian Wilson (AUS)
J-Bay Open Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.40 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.20
SF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.13 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 16.26
J-Bay Open Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 18.00 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 15.67
QF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.53 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.33
QF 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.10 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.23
QF 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.17 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 9.00
J-Bay Open Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Kai Otton (AUS) 16.60 def. Nat Young (USA) 11.34
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.67 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.83
Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.53 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.00
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.90 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 14.87
Comments
Terrifying!! The video is nuts. Thank heavens he's alright, not even a mark on him!
Tourism South Africa was must be thrilled.
I am astonished (and very grateful) Mick is OK. The video footage is just incredible.
Have to say everyone in the water at the time reacted so quickly with nothing other than Mick's welfare in mind. Great Mick is unscathed and amazing to watch in live time how people reacted in a terrifying circumstance. Mick's got a good mate in Jules Wilson, no doubting that.
Totally agree Matt.
Those who watched it unfold live, I reckon if you could harness their combined adrenalin at the time, you'd have enough to power a small city.
Great last day of surfing unfortunately overshadowed by every surfers nightmare.
I reckon they both should have shared first place, or got full points at least. That potential trauma could play on the minds of these guys for the remainder of the season (or even longer). Julian must be bummed that he didn't get a chance to try and
win his first J'bay CT (but stoked he didn't get eaten).
Agreed. Sign this petition so Mick and Julian get 9000 points each.
https://www.change.org/p/world-surf-league-award-mick-fanning-and-julian...
Julian has won a CT before I'm pretty sure. Just not J-Bay.
I dunno If I would want to put myself in that situation for a measly $70k.
Jules won Pipeline last year
Horrifying
Jules also won Supertubos I'm pretty sure. Over Gab.
Fanning has done it all won world titles, and now fought off a shark!!
Changing from a bright yellow board a consideration?
See latest story. Mick and Darren Handley have already spoken about it.
Thankfully Mick and Julian were unhurt, but it was also great to see the compassion and care for someone else that radiated around the world. I don't know Mick or Julian but I really felt for their welfare, and emotional impact on their families and friends, as did many others. Imagine if all human beings felt like that all the time, what a different world.
I still can't believe Mick Fanning got on the ski without a scratch. I'm sure we were all expecting him to be torn up, including himself. That time between the fin appearing and the swim was sickening. Watching it live, I was convinced that he was being pulled under by the shark's grip on his legs. It looked like he was being dragged under over and over, bitten time and again. Incredible to watch him get on the boat and look for injuries, finding none. Maybe there's an alternate universe out there where things went differently. I'm just glad we're all in this one right now.
Julian Wilson is a legend - completely selfless. Also the beach commentator deserves some credit for calling it immediately.
And Slater was ripping. That floater.
The boat driver was pretty awesome , fanged in there so hard then pulled a massive three sixty at full throttle, the shark would have bolted from the scene pretty quick. What an amazing scene.
JW - what a champ, the type of man you want in your corner.
Yes, he reacted WAY quicker than the jetski's ...
Footage here shows it very obviously:
See from around the 15 minute mark, boat drivers reacted, jetski's no where to be seen for another 6 seconds.
Pretty scary stuff can't see a legrope stopping a gws in attack mode... How often do guys get bumped at Jeffries?
This wasn't being bumped.
If that happened to joe average would we have taken notice ?
Yes!
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/kelly-slater-says-his-friend-clear...
The people who watched it happen to Joe average would have taken notice.
Millions of people witnessing it live - more than likely the first time they have seen a shark attack live means millions take notice.
Looked like a bump to me.... No bite marks just a severed leggy if this was an attack Mick would be at a minimum seriously injured.
From all reports I have seen so far, seems like an attack that went wrong for the shark. Got caught up in the leggy then bolted.
What's your definition of a bump?
when a shark initiates contact with you or your board with no injury. That's a big creature thats about as gentle as they get.
Iooked like an attack gone wrong to me.
Seems like the pattern in these shallow water attacks is the shark comes in from behind and bites the leg or board. Seems Mick just saw the fin in time, reacted and got his legs out of the road. The shark doubled around to have another go but Mick reacted and started fighting.
All the recent attacks in the Ballina region have followed that pattern. A big shark in shallow water with a single exploratory leg bite. I'd say Fanning's extra sharp reflexes and spider sense that something was about to happen, saved him from that bite.
That thing definitely wanted a piece of him.
Reckon Mick can thank his lucky stars he was picked out by the Mr Magoo of the shark family. Slipped on a banana peel while sneaking up on Mick, started thrashing about and lost the element of surprise, Mick paddles away, the others sharks facepalm in unison.
I still think it had ample time if it really wanted him his heart rate would have been massive swimming away. I might be in denial i want to surf again i don't think theres a surfer alive who's not troubled by those images.
Freeride , is it true that Hynd went and surfed out there not long after this attack happened ?
Photo's on Stab suggest yes.
http://stabmag.com/30-seconds-that-changed-pro-surfing/
There's some funny as comments on that thread...
E.g.
how about all the shark experts coming out of the woodwork. an awful lot of people seem to think they know exactly what the shark(s) was thinking / doing at that exact moment
Axel Foley sports fan
7 hours ago
I know right ?! "Specialists" are saying that the shark was just "cruising by" and got tangled on the leg rope. Fuck no, that fucking thing isn't blind, look how big the fucking ocean is, and it "bumped" into one surfer?. The shark was after something, maybe a selfie with the champ or some free stickers.
at Jbay?
There were 3 or 4 guys out, Hynd included, surfing during the wrap up with Todd, Pete & KP. Getting a bunch of great waves with no crowd.
Why not?
Hynd & his finless boards deserve a few pics of the design . Just as amazing as a shork etteck
I was watching it live early this morning watch all the semis and really thought Mick might just get it over Julian and Mick was speed surfing with flawless off the top. But then WHAM! I could not believe my eyes. Mick had god looking down on him and he reacted the way you should by punching the Shark in the back twice. so glad it had a happy ending but it really shook Mick and upset Julian so much, you cant blame them if they stay out of the water for a short period to gather their thoughts before heading to Tahiti. go to Facebook and wish Mick well as I did. I am sure he will appreciate it. After this I would love to see him take this years title :)
I still think this is the best footage of it all.
Shows the courage of Julian paddling frantically. He was motoring. Watch his progress.
And, the reaction of the boat driver - way quicker than the jet skis.
It's all from around the 14 minute 30 second mark.
Wingnut, i watched the vid again, but this time i picked up something I didnt pick up on all the other views. Go to 14:58...the tip of the tail fin can be seen just above the wave lip on the far right side. It only appears for a fraction of a second but this is the shark doing the bolt up the point.
Yep, just saw that too, you got good eyes tripper! ... it's after the initial attack.
Is it doing the bolt, or still part of the thrashing we can't see behind the wave?
Just watching Mick & Julien's press conference...that flash of fin is after the second attack so I guess it's the lass thing to be seen of the shark before it does the bolt.
Screenshot of the last flash of the tail fin.
Yep, the shark made a very deliberate fast turn to come in from behind. It would know that head is up and tail is down for prey and so Mick's legs and the tail of the board sticking down into the water would be seen as the rear end of the prey. That is attack mode. As freeride said, Mick probably pulled his legs up a split second before the bite and then the leg rope tangle, punches and boat noise scared it off.
It was NOT a casual cruise past and bump approach to Mick. It was spin around fast to come in from behind and bite a flipper (leg) off fast from behind mode of approach. Many sharks just do a major bite and then come in for the kill at their leisure.
How do you conclude this? I can't see the shark until the fin appears behind Mick.
Wing nut - If you watch the tail fin as it appears it looks to be swinging in from the ocean side and it gives a solid flick as though it is hooking the body of the shark in a U turn to line up on Mick. Also to me the dorsal fin first appears as though it is also in the process of a U turn. If you freeze frame the first glimpse it is not very side on (quite thin and narrow for a split second - partial front on view), but soon becomes so. Also the dorsal fin is clearly pushing water off its landward side as though it has sideways movement. The tail also pushed water landward as in a U turn initially
The above is a close analysis to check my impressions were accurate. But my impression from every viewing was that the shark had U turned from the ocean side hooked in and then straightened up and thrashed its tail to get some speed and power up after losing speed on the turn.
I'm no shark expert but I was interested in the pic of the tail fin and I had a look on the DPI website to see what the tails of GWS look like and the other possible culprit mentioned here, the Bull shark. Anyway, to my untrained eye, the tail resembles mostly a bull shark to me especially the pronounced barb at the tip. On the other hand the tail from that angle in the pic appears that the tail is not as elongated as a Bull so could be a GWS. A GWS apparently has a barb too but not defined as the BS.
I suppose my question to those that know more about sharks than me, was the style of attack more characteristic of a Bull shark or a GWS? Do Bulls come in from behind close to the surface?
Watching shark week once they did dummy tests of deep ater and shallow water attacks. Their theory was Great Whites would not attack in shallow water due to using come up from below as such a common approach. In practice they found that they switched approach as suited the situation. From below in deep water and more straight on in shallow water. Commonnsesne really. So Bull or GW, it was fairly shallow water and so any shark could well do a surface approach.
That's one semi-final Slats would be happy to have lost!
This is an interesting read on what the shark was possibly doing from a shark behaviour expert http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/attack-or-freakish-encounter-mick-fann...
Interesting read Indo, either way he is a lucky man