Mick Fanning returns to scene of shark attack to win JBay Open heat

MICK Fanning has made a successful return to the scene of last year’s shark attack, winning his heat at the JBay Open.

Mick Fanning prepares to hit the water at J-Bay. Picture: Russell Gould

MICK Fanning has made a successful return to the scene of last year’s shark attack, winning his heat at the JBay Open in his competitive return to Jeffreys Bay.

Fanning beat Connor Coffin and Alejo Muniz in the opening heat of the competition 12 months after he was charged by a great white shark during the final of last year’s event.

An ankle injury was the biggest threat to Fanning’s return but he overcame a sprain suffered while free-surfing the famous South African break earlier this week to line up in competition when the event was called on today.

Fanning notched a two-wave score of 13.67 out of a possible 20, to advance through to Round 3 of the competition.

The Gold Coaster posted scores of 6.17 and 7.50 — heat-high waves — to escape the knockout Round 2 and advance directly to the last 24.

Despite the shark scare that made international headlines last year, Fanning said he was determined to return to JBay, even when he decided to reduce his World Surf League schedule in a “personal year’’.

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

“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.”

After last year’s events, the WSL has enhanced its surveillance and response capabilities in case of shark sighting at the break notorious for the presence of great whites.

Emerging sonar technologies are being used to detect sharks, which additional water patrol in the line-up to respond in case of emergency.

“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.

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