Irish-Australian Surfer Escapes Shark Attack In South Africa

20th July 2015

#Surfing - Irish-Australian surf pro Mick Fanning has become a viral sensation after video of him fighting off a shark attack during a surfing contest wowed the internet.

As the Irish Examiner reports, Fanning was taking part in the final heat of the J-Bay Open at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa's Eastern Cape province yesterday (Sunday 19 July) when the shark appeared suddenly behind him and knocked him off his board.

"It came up and got stuck in my leg rope," he said immediately after his lucky escape. "I instantly just jumped away. It kept coming at my board and I was kicking and screaming."

Shark attacks are a regular occurrence off South Africa's Eastern Cape, with eight fatalities recorded since 2009.

The Irish Examiner has more on the story HERE.

Published in Surfing

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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