Watch: Surfer fights off shark attack mid-competition

Australia’s triple surf champion Mick Fanning walked away shaken but uninjured after having a close-encounter with a shark mid-competition in South Africa.

Paddling out to ride his first wave, a menacing grey fin appeared in the water behind him before knocking the 34-year-old off his board. The whole episode being caught live on camera for Sunday’s final of the World Surf League’s J-Bay Open.

“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, told Fox Sports channel . “I punched him in the back”.

“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 the teeth.”

Fanning made a bee line for the shore and was picked up by a support craft.

That was way too close… Mick_Fanning</a>&#39;s severed leash. <a href="https://twitter.com/wsl">wslpic.twitter.com/W8jyxaGZYc

— Rip Curl (@ripcurl) July 19, 2015

In light of the attack, the competition’s organisers decided to end the finals a day early and split the prize between the two finalists.

South African waters are among the most shark-infested in the world, though fatal attacks remain rare.

. Mick_Fanning</a>: 1, Jaws: Nil. If you attack Mick, remember it&#39;s a fight to the fin-ish <a href="https://t.co/V3AuDAD8Nu">https://t.co/V3AuDAD8Nu</a></p>&mdash; Red Bull (redbull) July 19, 2015