UPDATE 

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has confirmed she's pushing for Coolum surfer Julian Wilson's bravery award after a stunning display of mateship in the waters of South Africa. 

Ms Palaszczuk has written to the Government House nominating the 26-year-old in recognition for his actions in swimming towards Fanning as a shark attacked the Gold Coast surfer.

"What we saw in South Africa was Queensland mateship at its best," Ms Palaszczuk said in a statement. 

"Like anyone who has watched the vision, I couldn't help but think what a terrifying situation it must have been.

"I've written to Government House nominating Julian Wilson for a bravery award.

"He put his own safety aside and disregarded the obvious risk to his life so he could help a fellow Queenslander.

"Anyone who paddles towards a shark attack instead of away from it is pretty brave in my books.

"I don't know too many people who would have done that."

EARLIER: 

COOLUM'S own Julian Wilson will be nominated for a bravery award after surfing towards his mate to try and save him from a shark attack. 

A spokesman from Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk's office confirmed Wilson would be nominated when he did the unimaginable- paddled towards a great white shark, not away. 

RELATED: FANNING"S NATURAL INSTINCTS SAVED HIS LIFE: SHARK EXPERT 

The 26-year-old surfer has been hailed a hero for his actions, immediately paddling towards his mate and fellow competitor when he saw a shark's fin approach 34-year-old Fanning during a World Surf League event final at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa on Sunday.

Fanning was unharmed, but the incident has clearly shook both men. 

After the incident an emotional Wilson told media "he couldn't get their quick enough". 

"It came up, and he was wrestling it, and I saw the whole thing, and then I saw he got knocked off his board, and then, like, a little wave popped up and I just thought, he's gone, he's gone under," Wilson said through tears.

"I literally thought, paddling for him, that I wasn't going to get there in time. Especially when I came over the wave and his board was over here and he was swimming that way and I was like, 'Oh no, it's going to just grab him and take him under'.

Wilson posted a photo on his Instagram in the past 24 hours, showing him on a plane with a glass of champagne on his way home with his girlfriend- safe and sound.