AN Irish-Australian surfer has insisted he will not give up the sport after surviving a terrifying shark attack during a competition in South Africa.
Mick Fanning (34), whose father John is from Malin Head Co Donegal, said it was a "miracle" he survived after he fought off the shark with his bare hands.
The three-times world surfing champion was competing against fellow Australian Julian Wilson in the final of the JBay Open at Jeffreys Bay when he was bumped off his board by a shark.
Fanning said at first he tried to swim away but then decided to defend himself, and punched it in the back.
Wilson paddled over to help his compatriot and said he intended to distract the shark, which he estimated was more than twice Fanning's size.
Fanning quickly swam towards a rescue boat and was helped back to shore.
At a press conference in Sydney yesterday, the champion surfer said he was "doing okay".
"I haven't got a scratch on me. Just more of an emotional, mental sort of trauma right now," he said.
"To walk away from a shark attack with not a scratch on you - it is a miracle really."
Fanning said he felt so "insignificant" compared with the size and speed of the shark, and he was "in their domain".
"Thanks for not eating me," he joked.
He told how he could sense the shark looming behind him, and turned to see it just as contact was made.
"I thought 'Let's see what happens'. Like anything, you want to go down fighting," he said.
"I don't know why it didn't bite. I was on top of it, trying to put my board between us. It was just flight or fight, I just ran on instinct.
"Once my board was gone, I thought that was it. I was just waiting for it to come and take a leg or two. I guess I'm lucky it wasn't my time."
Fanning said he plans to return to surfing and praised Wilson for coming to his aid.
"He just gave all regard up for himself, and came for me," he said. "He was so brave... like a warrior. Thanks bud."
Wilson has been nominated for a bravery award by the Queensland state premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
