Did you know that various surfers like Dickie Cross, Mark Foo, and Peter Davi died while surfing? Surfing is a dangerous sport, and Kelly Slater is well aware of this fact. Having experienced monstrous waves and encounters with sharks, Kelly Slater could relate to a shark attack on an athlete in 2015. In a talk, Kelly Slater openly disclosed his thoughts about a shark attack on his Australian competitor, Mick Fanning. 

Mick Fanning is a professional surfer who became the Australian Junior Surfing Champion. In 2015, a horrific incident took place when Mick was attacked by a shark during the World Surf League’s Jay Bay Open in South Africa. Surfing Legend Kelly Slater also gave his response in a 2015 interview to this horrific incident. 

Kelly Slater’s reaction to Mick Fanning’s terrible incident. 

“It was actually surreal to me because I was just coming on the beach”, Kelly spoke. He then told about how he saw the boats and skis go straight to the lineup. At that time, he understood that somebody was being attacked by a shark. 

 Kelly embraced Mick Fanning after the deadly incident. He also spoke about the incident’s impact on him. “I’m halfway between crying and laughing,” he said. The surfing professional also told how, instead of Mick, he might have been the guy to face such an attack. 

During another talk, Kelly Slater praised Mick’s instincts during the shark attack. “Mick Fanning’s instincts kicked into high gear and his scramble to face the shark and keep the board between them may have saved him”, Kelly spoke. Slater also expressed that he couldn’t imagine Mick’s fear when he saw the shark near the shore. 

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Kelly also spoke warmly of those responsible for safety for the job they did during this difficult time. He lauded Julian Wilson for his bravery and for going to Mick’s help during the horrific incident. 

Mick Fanning’s other near-death experience 

Fanning had a second encounter with sharks at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa. The shark was at a distance of about 700m from the surfing legend. Luckily, the champion surfer was brought into the safe zone. 

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Kelly Slater’s sensitive response to Mick Fanning’s shark attack shows his sensitivity to others’ pain as a human being. What do you think about the horrible surfing incident? Do you think surfing is an easy sport? Let us know in the comments.