- WSL / KC
- WSL / KC
Mick Fanning (AUS) victorious, 2014 J-Bay Open. Mick Fanning is ready to celebrate in J-Bay again. - WSL / Kelly Cestari

Getting back to J-Bay was a big priority for 3X World Champion Mick Fanning this year. Beyond surfing one of his favorite waves on the planet, there was that other little matter that needed addressing: burying the memory of last year's shark encounter.

Fanning's J-Bay Attack
0:59
The Aussie tears apart a clean set wave during Quarterfinal 4 at the J-Bay Open.

But Fanning's bigger plans for picking up where he left off last year (he was surfing in the Final during the incident) hit a snag during his first warm-up session when he rolled his ankle in an awkward wipeout.

Doctors quickly determined Fanning had suffered a high-ankle sprain, and told him to rest it, which he did, dutifully. He watched in agony last week as a fresh swell lit up Supertubes and several CT stars drank it in.

But Fanning's wait paid off. He hit the water again Tuesday, one day before the J-Bay Open waiting period begins. On Tuesday afternoon he posted the following on his Instagram:

Good to go tomorrow! Ankle will hopefully hold in for the event, had a surf on it this morning and went better than expected. Thanks to Elmien Hugo for working on it all week. Super excited to go again at the #jbayopen - Mick Fanning


Fanning On His Return
5:09
The 3X World Champion opens up about his return to South Africa for the J-Bay Open.

Mick will be surfing in the Heat 1 of Round One, against Alejo Muniz and Conner Coffin. Tune in live at 7:30 am SAST.

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