Michael Eugene "Mick" Fanning, nicknamed "White Lightning" (born June 13, 1981), is an Australian professional surfer. Fanning won the 2007, 2009 and 2013 ASP World Tour. In 2015, Fanning survived an encounter with what is suspected to be a great white shark during the J-Bay Open finals in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
On 19 July 2015, Fanning encountered a shark two minutes into the J-Bay Open 2015 finals at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. Fanning was in the water with Julian Wilson during the final when what is suspected to be a great white shark swam next to him. Fanning punched the shark and tried to wedge his board between the shark and his body.[7] The shark eventually bit off Fanning's leash and Fanning started his attempt to flee back to shore.[7] Wilson paddled towards Fanning to assist him and was praised for his action and hailed as a hero.[8] Much of the early coverage characterized the encounter as a "shark attack." Based on analysis of the video and the fact that Fanning was not bitten, some marine biologists believe the shark had no intention of biting him