The mother of Australian professional surfer Mick Fanning has described her relief after watching her son be attacked by a large shark on live television as the global surfing community rallies in support of the former world champion.

Fanning's mother, Elizabeth Osborne, was watching the Jeffreys Bay World Surf League (WSL) competition in South Africa on live television in Australia when cameras captured the moment a large fin broke the surface of the water behind her son and attacked.

A large swell moved in, leaving viewers, including Fanning's mother, with their hearts in their mouths as they waited for a clear view of the Australian's fate.

"I was so scared," Osborne told Australian national broadcaster on Monday.

"I just thought when that wave came through that he'd gone."

The large shark stalked Fanning from behind as he sat on his board, before launching itself at him.

"I was just sitting there and I felt something just get stuck in my leg rope, and I was kicking, trying to get it away," Fanning said. "I just saw fin, I didn't see the teeth. I was waiting for the teeth to come at me as I was swimming."

Fanning, current world number 2, was competing against fellow Australian Julian Wilson, world number 3, in the event's final. Enditem