Mick Fanning shark attack spoofed in South African KFC commercial

Australian surfer Mick Fanning’s close encounter with a shark during a surf event in July has been parodied in a commercial by fast food chain KFC in South Africa.

Fanning survived a near death experience during the final round of the J-Bay Open on July 19 when a shark attacked him in the water on live television.

The harrowing moment has been recreated by KFC in an ad which sees a Fanning look-a-like also attacked by a shark from behind, with one notable difference.

The surfer picks up the shark and rides a wave holding the creature over his head triumphantly in a moment described as “next level awesome” by the commentators.

The commercial was made to advertise a new burger being sold at KFC restaurants in South Africa.

Although the ad has reportedly been generally positively received, some have called out the commercial for being tactless and exploiting on Fanning’s terrifying encounter.