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Mick Fanning Details Shark Attack’s Lasting Mental Toll

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 6:39 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Mick Fanning survived a great white shark attack at the 2015 J-Bay Open in South Africa.
He later won the same J-Bay Open, crediting fellow surfer Julian Wilson for his help during the attack.
In his memoir, Fanning describes anxiety, depression, night terrors, and the emotional toll of competition.
He also recounts losing brothers Sean, Peter (at 43) and Ed (at 48), and friend Andy Irons (at 32).

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Story summary

Mick Fanning survived a great white shark attack at the 2015 J-Bay Open in South Africa.
He later won the same J-Bay Open, crediting fellow surfer Julian Wilson for his help during the attack.
In his memoir, Fanning describes anxiety, depression, night terrors, and the emotional toll of competition.
He also recounts losing brothers Sean, Peter (at 43) and Ed (at 48), and friend Andy Irons (at 32).