Mick Fanning had no idea he'd be going head-to-head with a shark Sunday in a South African surfing contest.
Video shows Fanning paddling out when a fin surfaces behind him.
There's a tug, and he falls into the swirling water scrambling for his board.
Luckily, the shark only bit off the board's leash, which was tied to Fanning's ankle.
Fanning told reporters: "I just saw fins. I was waiting for teeth, and I punched the shark in the back."
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Transcript
RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne. Mick Fanning had no idea he'd be going head-to-head with a shark yesterday in a South African surf contest. Videos show Fanning paddling out when a fin surfaces behind him - a tug and he falls into the swirling waters, scrambling for his board. Luckily, the shark only bit off the board's leash tied to Fanning's ankle. Fanning told reporters, I just saw fins. I was waiting for teeth, and I punched the shark in the back. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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