A surf photographer in the water during the shark attack on Mick Fanning has recalled his lone 50-metre swim to shore.
Durban-based Kelly Cestari was roughly 150 metres from Fanning, filming his tour surfing final against fellow Australian Julian Wilson, at the time of the attack at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.
"From what I remember I saw the initial splash, but because I was in the water I had a surfing 'eye'," Cestari told the World Surf League website.
"So I think there had been a wave and I was looking through it and I saw the initial splash and Mick spin around and then I saw the fin slap at him.
"Giggs, the beach commentator, started screaming, "Get to Mick!"
Cestari watched the water patrol boat and jet ski crews race over and pull Fanning and Wilson from the water.
"The boats were gone so I needed to get in," he said.
"But I actually hung around for like maybe a minute thinking the jet skis would come back to me.
"Once I realised they were going in, it was time for me to swim in."
He said prior experience with sharks helped him navigate his safe return to shore.
"I've been free-diving with sharks before," he said.
"From the few times I've done that I learned not to panic, not to splash around, so I had a slow swim.
The weight of the situation took some time to mentally process for himself and those at the beach, with the South African crowds eerily silent.
"It's something you are aware of but never ever expect to happen," he said.
"Once I got to shore I was pretty much staring at the boat going, "Is this actually happening?"
"After seeing Mick do the interview and break down, once I had gotten out of my wetsuit I had a few moments to think about it and that's when I sort of started having a meltdown."
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