Fanning's triumphant return after shark attack

Mick Fanning has enjoyed a triumphant return to competition after his shark attack in South Africa, winning his opening heat at the Billabong Pro in Tahiti.

Surfing his first heat after his dramatic brush with a great white shark at Jeffereys Bay last month, Fanning had the perfect return surfing sharp and focused to win his round one heat over compatriot Adam Melling and Tahitian Taumata Puhetini.

In challenging, messy conditions at Teahupo'o, Fanning (12.17) was too strong for Melling (6.26) and trials winner Puhetini (1.33) to book a spot in round three.

The three time world champion said he was keen to put the ordeal in South Africa behind him as he bids for a fourth world title.

"It was great to get back in the singlet and focus on surfing again," Fanning said.

"There's been so much hype about the incident at J-Bay and so much media attention and I just wanted to move on.

"It happened but we'll talk about it later…maybe stories when I'm old."

Fanning said conditions were extremely challenging with many of the waves closing out.

"It was really tough out there and there wasn't too many opportunities," he said.

"I lucked out with just a five and a six and it was enough really."

Meanwhile, Fanning's close mate Julian Wilson, who he was surfing against when he was attacked, also had a victorious return winning his opening heat against Hawaii's Sebastian Zeitz and compatriot Garrett Parkes.

With four events remaining on the World Surf League tour, Fanning is second in the rankings behind just 250 ratings points behind Brazil's Adriano de Souza, with Wilson third.