Jeffrey's Bay in South Africa, home to the J-Bay Open, is notorious for the great white sharks that swim in its waters. However, it's unprecedented that a surfer tangle with one on live TV, and yet this is exactly what happened to Mick Fanning of Australia during this year's competition. Fanning recounted the shark attack to Surfer Magazine, claiming that he could sense something behind him before getting knocked off his board,  ultimately punching the animal and fighting for his life as he got dragged underwater by his surfboard's leash.

Fanning miraculously escaped unscathed, although the surfer is understandably rattled. Surfer Magazine reports that the World Surf League has since canceled the remaining heats of the J-Bay Open and the two finalists, Fanning and Julian Wilson, will split the prize money. We're just glad this guy's OK and seriously can't imagine such a frightening ordeal. Watch the whole scary situation unfold below and tell us your thoughts in the comments.