Written By: Skylar Anderson

Have you ever witnessed a miracle? Maybe you’ve been in a situation where one thing should’ve happened, but instead something completely different did. Maybe this situation was so horrific that it left you traumatized. Or perhaps, just humbled and thankful. Either way, I’m sure you can relate to Mick Fanning’s recent experience with a great white miracle.  

Last Sunday, July 19th, a surfing competition in South Africa was canceled after Mick Fanning, a professional surfer, was attacked by a shark during the opening minutes of the final heat. On the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League Championship Tour’s sixth stop for the J-Bay open, organizers called of the remainder of the competition. The shark smacked Mick with his fin attempted to pull him underwater by his foot rope. “I felt myself getting dragged under by my leash” says the surfer. “I had this feeling that something was behind (me), and all of a sudden I felt like I started getting pulled underwater. And then the thing came up and I was on my board and it was right there,” he said. Mick responded by punching the suspected Great White on the back and trying to stay on his board. A large crowd watched at Jeffrey’s Bay, as well as those viewing on television. Audiences saw a gray fin appear beside Mick, prior to a fit of splashing.

Mick yelled at a fellow competitor, Julian Wilson, to swim to the shore for safety. However, the surfer, whom Mick was also mentoring at the time, swam to his rescue instead. Wilson assured Mick as boats and jet skis came to their rescue. Once Fanning’s board was gone, he thought for sure that was the end. He expected the shark to attack once again. Luckily, the two were rescued within seconds. “I definitely was there to back him up and hopefully was able to give him some confidence and courage when he was left without a board in the water. I know the boats and jet skis got there pretty fast but it felt like an eternity.” Wilson explained. Fanning says he has no idea how the shark didn’t bite. He walked away perfectly fine.

The premier of Queensland state, Annastacia Palaszczuk, wrote a letter to the country’s government to nominate Wilson for a bravery award. When Fanning was asked if he agreed that Wilson deserved such an honor, he responded, saying, “Oh, for sure. You never know what you’re going to do in that situation. He gave all regard up for himself and came for me … I was just thankful that he was there. He was like a powerboat coming for me. It was so brave … he’s a warrior.” As of now, Mick Fanning is the most talked-about athlete on the planet right now, due to his triumph in a near death situation. Fanning may have walked away without any physical damage, but he admits to be going through some mental and emotional trauma. Who would blame him? Surely I can’t be the only one who appreciates his honesty and shameless vulnerability. He states that someone must have been watching over him, and that it was a true miracle for him to walk away without any physical harm.