After helping rescue Mick Fanning during Sunday's miraculous escape from a sudden shark attack, World Surf League (WSL) competitor Julian Wilson said,
I literally thought paddling for him that I wasn't going to get there in time.
On the waves, Wilson is a rival for Fanning. Off them, he is a friend. And like most friends would be, Wilson was super emotional as he relived and described the scene for the WSL audience.
The WSL immediately suspended the competition at the J-Bay Open final following the attack, and no champion was crowned for the day. But the mere fact Fanning is alive is a bigger prize than any trophy.
