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Australia's world champion surfer Mick Fanning is set to return to the iconic surfing event where he was attacked by a shark last year.
Fanning made headlines around the world last July when a shark, thought to be a four-metre Great White, collided with him during the World Surf League (WSL) event in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.
But the Gold Coast surfer, who is a three-time WSL champion himself, announced on Tuesday he will return to the "J-Bay Open" when it begins next week. He will compete amongst some of the world's best surfers in the famous South African location.
The shark incident was broadcast live on television, a huge fin appearing out of the water behind Fanning as he sat on his board in open water. He was then filmed being bumped off his board by the shark which had apparently got tangled in his leg rope.
The incident occurred during his semi-final against fellow Australian surfer, Julian Wilson.
Fanning was able to punch the shark as it swam up next to him and was pulled out of the water by rescue craft soon afterwards. The clip now has over 23 million views on YouTube.
Although Fanning and Wilson both survived the frightening incident, the 2015 J-Bay event was ultimately called off after the attack. Fanning went on to compete throughout the remainder of the year.
In 2016, Fanning has taken a "personal year," competing in a limited number of events, after the shark attack and the tragic death of his brother late in December last year.
But the Aussie icon told the Australian media before he left for South Africa that he was always going to return to J-Bay, even if the incident did still play on his mind.
"The first surf is going to be a little bit tricky to get through my head,"Fanning told Fairfax Media on Tuesday.
"I've surfed lots of different places and have seen sharks since then and haven't felt too concerned. It's all part of surfing. We're not going to go out and put a cage around J-Bay. We want to surf the wave and keeping everyone safe is a collective thing between the WSL and the surfers."
"When I decided I was only going to do a few events this season, J-Bay was always on the cards. I was always going to go back. I' ve had so many great memories there that to leave J-Bay on the note from last year just didn't seem right. I want to go back and right the wrongs and move forward."
The WSL have increased their surveillance technologies and response capabilities for the upcoming J-Bay event, and Fanning said he was excited about the two weeks ahead.
"I trust the WSL and the measures they've put in place," he said on Tuesday.
"It is, however, one of those things where it is the ocean and, ultimately, there is not a lot anyone can do. I'm thinking positive and looking forward to coming back."
With a challenging 2015 season now behind him, Fanning's return to full competition and his future beyond the J-Bay Open has yet to be decided.
（APD）
