Chaos at New Zealand Pro: Photographer Bitten by Unknown Sea Creature Halts World Surf League Event

World Surf League event in New Zealand halted after photographer Ed Sloane is bitten by an unknown sea creature, suspected to be a shark or sea lion. Competition resumes after safety measures are enhanced.

Chaos at New Zealand Pro: Photographer Bitten by Unknown Sea Creature Halts World Surf League Event

The finals day of the World Surf League's New Zealand Pro in Raglan was dramatically halted after a photographer was attacked by an unidentified sea creature. The incident, which occurred during the men's semi-finals, triggered an immediate "code red" and put the competition on hold, raising safety concerns for competitors and staff.

Key Takeaways

  • A World Surf League photographer was bitten by an unknown sea creature during the New Zealand Pro finals.
  • The "code red" protocol was activated, halting the competition for several hours.
  • The photographer sustained minor puncture wounds and was taken to the hospital.
  • Organizers are uncertain if the creature was a shark or a sea lion, though a doctor leaned towards sea lion.
  • The event resumed later in the day with enhanced safety measures.

The Attack and Immediate Aftermath

The incident unfolded on Monday morning as Brazilian surfers Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira were competing in a semi-final heat. Australian photographer Ed Sloane was in the water documenting the action when he was attacked. He sustained "small puncture wounds" to his left foot and had a flipper ripped off.

Renato Hickel, World Surf League vice-president of tours and competition, confirmed the "code red" activation, a protocol typically reserved for shark sightings. "This time it was our beloved water photographer and thank God he's in good spirits. He's well considering what happened," Hickel stated on the WSL broadcast. He added that while the exact species of the creature remains unconfirmed, the doctor on the scene leaned towards it being a sea lion rather than a shark.

Safety Protocols and Event Resumption

Following the attack, Sloane was promptly attended to by medical teams and transported to the hospital by ambulance. He expressed gratitude for the swift response and assured that he was doing okay, despite his injuries. "I love this place and can't wait to watch an epic Finals Day," Sloane said in a statement shared by the WSL, showing his continued support for the event.

The competition was paused for several hours while assessments were made and safety measures were reviewed. The WSL emphasized that the safety of its staff and competitors is paramount. The event eventually resumed later in the afternoon with the implementation of additional safety protocols, including increased jet ski presence and a drone spotter to monitor the water conditions.

A Rare Occurrence in Raglan

The New Zealand Pro is the largest surf event hosted in New Zealand, drawing hundreds of spectators. Attacks by marine life on surfers and swimmers in the Raglan region are considered extremely rare. This incident brings to mind the infamous shark attack on surfer Mick Fanning during a competition in South Africa 11 years prior, though thankfully, Sloane's injuries were not as severe.

While the exact identity of the creature responsible for the bite remains a mystery, the WSL's swift response and the photographer's resilience ensured that the New Zealand Pro could conclude, albeit after a significant disruption.

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