Gold Coast’s Mick Fanning will surf Jeffrey’s Bay event where he was attacked by shark last year

GOLD Coast surfer and three-time WSL champion Mick Fanning will return to the event where he was last year attacked on live television by a great white shark.

Australian surfer Mick Fanning being attacked by a shark during the final of the JBay surf open on July 19, 2015. AFP PHOTO / WSL

GOLD Coast surfer and three-time WSL champion Mick Fanning will return to the event where he was last year attacked on live television by a great white shark.

The attack happened during the final heat of the event as Fanning was waiting for his opening wave.

Fanning was in the water with fellow finalist and Aussie Julian Wilson.

The event was ultimately called off after the attack.

Screen capture showing the moment a shark attacked Mick Fanning at the JBay Open. Image courtesy of World Surf League

Fanning went on to compete throughout the remainder of the year.

Following a season that involved the shark attack, a world runner-up finish and the tragic death of his brother, Fanning is taking a personal year in 2016, surfing in only select events.

However, the Cooly Kid has committed to returning to Jeffreys Bay, an event he has won three times (2002, 2006, 2014).

Mick Fanning will return to J-Bay event, where he was attacked by a shark last year. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The event, in South Africa, is stop six on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour and will take place at the world-renowned right hand pointbreak of Jeffreys Bay from July 6-17.

“When I decided I was only going to do a few events this season, J-Bay was always on the cards,” Fanning said.

Jetskis race to Mick Fanning after the attack. Image courtesy of World Surf League

“Even if I decided I didn’t want to surf in the J-Bay Open, I was always going to go back. I’ve had so many great memories there that to leave J-Bay on the note from last year just didn’t seem right. I want to go back and right the wrongs and move forward.”

The WSL says it has enhanced its surveillance and response capabilities for this season’s event with additional water patrol in the line-up and is ‘augmenting with emerging sonar technologies to increase information available to event officials’.

Mick Fanning at the JBay Open moments after the attack. Image courtesy of World Surf League

“I trust the WSL and the measures they’ve put in place,” Fanning said.

“It is, however, one of those things where it is the ocean and, ultimately, there is not a lot anyone can do. I’m thinking positive and looking forward to coming back.

“The first surf is going to be a little bit tricky to get through my head. I’ve surfed lots of different places and have seen sharks since then and haven’t felt too concerned. It’s all part of surfing.

Mick Fanning after the attack at the JBay Open. Image courtesy of World Surf League

“We’re not going to go out and put a cage around J-Bay. We want to surf the wave and keeping everyone safe is a collective thing between the WSL and the surfers.”

Much speculation has occurred regarding whether the three-time WSL Champion will return to fulltime competition at the end of the season. As of the J-Bay Open, Fanning remains undecided about plans for this year and beyond.

“This year has been really fun to have some time off and do different things,” Fanning said.

“It’s been really fulfilling for me personally to go to places where I haven’t been able to before. I’ve made an effort to distance myself from the tour.

“As far as 2017 goes, I couldn’t tell you right now _ whether I’ll be back or not full time. I probably couldn’t tell you what’s going to happen in a month. I don’t know. I’m enjoying the freedom of doing different things and having no schedule right now.”

Fanning is currently seeded into the opening heat of round 1 with Conner Coffin (USA), and Alejo Muniz (BRA).