During a summer of high-profile shark attacks, experts have weighed in on the best ways to avoid and survive the rare but harrowing incidents. Now, dramatic TV footage that has been broadcast around the world shows a pro surfer doing things just right.

The surfer successfully evaded a shark attack during a competition run off South Africa’s East Cape on Sunday.

As Australian surfer Mick Fanning prepared to ride a wave at the World Surf League’s J-Bay Open Sunday in Jeffreys Bay, a big shark “appears out of nowhere,” says Greg Skomal, a shark scientist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

“The shark seemed pretty intent on hitting the board, which probably worked in the surfer's favor,”