Champion surfer Mick Fanning attacked by shark during live broadcast (VIDEO)

An Australian surfer made an incredible escape from serious harm after encountering a shark during a major competition in South Africa — all of the frightening attack being seen by viewers on a live broadcast of the event.

Mick Fanning was competing in the J-Bay Open on the eastern Cape, when one of the sharks approached his surfboard.

Video of the attack showed the shark's fin rising out of the water behind Fanning as the surfer paddled on his board before getting knocked into the water. 

Fanning, the defending champion, escaped injury after punching the shark and swimming away to a waiting jet ski. The tournament was called off soon afterwards.

"I was just cruising, just waiting for my turn, my opportunity," said the 34-year-old, a triple world champion who was competing in the finals against fellow Australian Julian Wilson.

"I'm happy to not even to compete ever again. Seriously, to walk away from that, I'm just so stoked."

Now that's reality TV.

Here's the whole incident: