Mick Fanning shark attack: Surfer back in the water after shark attack

FIRST PICTURE: Less than a week after being attacked by a shark, Mick Fanning has braved the water once more, stepping out for a surf on the Gold Coast.

SURFER Mick Fanning has braved the ocean for the first time since he was attacked by a shark on live TV in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.

It has been just six days since he was thrown from his board during a tussle with a great white shark, captured live on the broadcast of the world surfing tour event final at the J-Bay Open.

But Queenslander Mick Fanning has already paddled back out into enemy territory—by himself.

The three-time world champion posted to Instagram this morning “First surf back. Feels so good.”

It was paired with an image of Fanning facing the familiar east coast sunrise over the water.

Fanning has been recuperating with his family on the Gold Coast since arriving home during the week after the J-Bay Open was cancelled due to the famed attack.

But the surf appeared even more special, continuing Fanning’s incredible storybook, coinciding with the birthday of the late Andy Irons—a fellow three-time world champion who suffered a fatal heart attack in 2010 after apparently taking cocaine.

First surf back. Feels so good. Surfed by myself but had Andy in my thoughts. Happy Birthday brother… https://t.co/iETwPlvXNK

— Mick Fanning (@Mick_Fanning) July 24, 2015

“Surfed by myself but had Andy in my thoughts. Happy Birthday brother #AIforever” Fanning wrote.

The post, on Instagram and Twitter, was met by the familiar band of well wishes from fans, receiving 3,500 likes on Instagram in 5 minutes.

@Mick_Fanning huge set of🏉⚽️!! Well done pal

— Neil Williams (@LapwingNez) July 24, 2015

“Awesome!! You make us all proud to be an Aussie!!” @pagingfunmums wrote.

“What a perfect reason to get back in. Awesome photo, by the way,” @lindseyetucker added.

Twitter continued its comical tinge on the event, with Sean Matthews commenting “Chuck Norris would be proud,” and Neil Williams adding “huge set of [ball icons]!! Well done pal.”