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Australian surfer Fanning's brush with a shark "terrifying": Prime Minister

Xinhua, July 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has reflected the horror felt by many Australians who woke up on Monday to "terrifying" vision of local surfer Mick Fanning being attacked by a shark while competing in a tournament in South Africa.

Fanning, from Sydney, was one of two finalists taking part in the J-Bay Open when he was set upon by what has been identified as a great white shark.

Fanning defiantly punched and kicked the animal, before fellow Australian surfer and finalist at J-Bay, Julian Wilson, came to help repel the massive shark.

The pair were rescued by officials on jet skis who dragged them back to shore, unharmed.

Abbott, speaking to the media in Sydney, said he was comforted to hear Fanning was unharmed in the "scary" incident, which left the two surfers understandably shaken.

"I saw the stills in the papers this morning and it's terrifying that such a large shark could be so close to the surfing contest," Abbott said on Monday.

"I bet Mick Fanning is one hell of a relieved surfer."

The Prime Minister said the incident resonates with many Australians who enjoy surfing or swimming at the beach.

"We all love going out into the waves and we love to see dolphin fins but when there's doubt about what sort of fins it is, it's pretty scary."

Fanning has 20 career surfing tournament victories, including three at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa where the shark attack occurred.

The event was canceled, and the surfer told the media after the incident that he was lucky to be alive.

"I was just sitting there and I felt something just get stuck in my leg rope, and I was kicking, trying to get it away," Fanning said.

"I instantly just jumped away. It kept coming at my board and I was kicking and screaming.

"I just saw fins. I was waiting for teeth to come at me. I punched it in the back."

Fanning is a three-time world surfing champion, with his latest title coming back in 2013. Endi