Photo: Mick Fanning via Instagram
Yesterday was an emotional day for surf, a day where its wake reached far beyond the coastlines where it usually resides. For the first time in competitive surfing history, a competitor had an aggressive encounter with a shark in the lineup. The terrifying incident caused a collective gasp as onlookers — in-person and on-broadcast — held their collective breaths. Without a moment’s notice, Mick Fanning went from contending in the finals of the J-Bay Open to fighting for his life after being forcibly pulled down under water. While people focused on the thrashing beneath the surface, there was another show of strength from a little ways off: upon seeing Fanning in dire circumstances, fellow contender Julian Wilson put his head down and paddled full bore towards his longtime friend. When Fanning surfaced unscathed, the two quickly boarded nearby skis that had come in to rescue them. In the end, both arrived safely onshore.
Since that heaviest of occurrences, the entire world reacted in newspapers, online, and even through the morning talkshow circuits from local channels to international stations.
Now, in a followup to his interview directly after the incident, Fanning speaks again. This morning, White Lightning released a statement of shock, thanks, and love.
In case you’re unable to read the embed: “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.”
