The Mick Fanning Shark Attack meme stems from a terrifying real-life incident during the 2015 J-Bay Open finals in South Africa, where professional surfer Mick Fanning was attacked by a great white shark on live television. Fanning famously survived by punching the shark and paddling away, a feat of bravery that instantly turned the footage into a viral sensation. In the world of memes, the image is used to represent a sudden, overwhelming threat or obstacle—symbolized by the shark—and the person's reaction to it. It is a go-to template for depicting high-stress situations, unexpected life problems, or simply the feeling of being blindsided by fate while minding your own business.