In a truly Aussie understatement, pro surfer Mick Fanning said he was simply "tripping out" after surviving a terrifying shark attack on Sunday.
Looking visibly shaken in an interview not long after the dramatic incident at the J-Bay Open surf competition in South Africa, the Australian seemed to be still processing the situation.
Fanning said he had only a small depression in his board and a bitten leg rope to show for the shark versus man face-off. "I'm totally fine. Got nothing wrong with me," he said.
"It's so gnarly man," he added in a post-match interview. The day's competition was cancelled, but Fanning was by no means eager to get back in the water. "Man, I'm happy to not even compete ever again. To walk away from that, I'm just so stoked."
Fanning may have been a man of few words after fighting off a massive shark, but the rest of the surfing world had nothing but praise for the champion surfer who kept extremely cool under pressure.
After the attack, the rest of the J-Bay Open was called off.
"We are incredibly grateful that no one was seriously injured today. 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 World Surf League said in a statement.
"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."
Fuente: mashable.com
