It's a test of true friendship when buddies face the most dangerous of times. Australian surfer Mick Fanning's recent shark attack helped him recognize just how strong the bond between himself and his fellow surfer was.
According to the Sunday Morning Herald, Fanning took the role of Julian Wilson's mentor during the J-Bay Open organized by the World Surfer's League in South Africa, despite competing against him for his fourth world championship.
The article also commented on the two athletes' "special bond" even before the event. Fanning reportedly said Wilson "had the qualities to lead the next generation of Australian surfers" years ago.
Their bond was made stronger after Mick Fanning's shark attack during the competition, however. Wilson had already hit his first wave when his mentor and friend encountered a presumed Great White.
Although he was momentarily stunned, he soon swam towards Fanning in complete disregard of the danger that he was getting himself into.
"He was getting wrestled off his board, I started paddling for him fearing for his life," Wilson reportedly told Courier Mail. "I came over the wave and I was praying he was going to be there and not under water and there wasn't blood everywhere."
He only thought that if he could reach Fanning, he could fight the shark off with his surfboard.
Although Fanning was able to fight off the powerful animal with only a scratched hand, the seasoned surfer admitted that he "felt so insignificant" compared to its size and strength.
"The thing was so powerful and just moved so fast. I was just trying to manoeuvre my way around it," The Courier Mail quoted the world champion as saying. "To walk away from a shark attack with not a scratch on you is a miracle really."
He also called Wilson a "superhero" for doing what he did when they were in the water.
"He's a warrior for coming after me, you never know what you're going to do in that situation," he also said.
Despite Mick Fanning's recent shark attack, he still plans on going back out to surf.
