Mick Fanning says he will surf again after surviving a shark attack off the coast of South Africa.
The three-time world champion surfer has just landed back home in Australia, where he says the reality of how close he came to death has set in.
It was from one feeding frenzy to another for Fanning as he landed in Sydney, mobbed by the media and supporters after returning home from his close encounter.
Fanning has watched the video of the attack over and over, unable to comprehend how terrifying it would have been for his family and friends to watch it live, not knowing his fate.
By his side today and during the attack was fellow surfer Julian Wilson. His mate and rival ignored calls to return to the shore, paddling instead towards the shark.
His family watched it all unfold at home.
"We wouldn't have expected anything else," says mother Nola Wilson. "That's Julian. There's no way in the world he would have paddled away from Mick, or the bloody shark."
The two now have an unbreakable bond.
The video has been seen by millions and sparked dozens of online parodies. His cult hero status has gone mainstream. When someone takes on a shark and wins, it's something to be celebrated and profit from.
"All those companies that are with him will continue with him, because you wouldn't want to drop him, and he'll get extra money – $5 million, who knows?" says celebrity publicist Max Markson.
The shark had reportedly been spotted just hours before the competition at South Africa's J Bay.
In a defiant move, the morning after the attack surfers were back in the water. Fanning says he'll follow suit.
He's now on his way home to the Gold Coast for a brief break before heading to Tahiti for the next round of competition.
3 News