The World Surf League event in New Zealand was abruptly cancelled on Monday after a photographer covering the competition was hospitalized following an attack by an unknown sea creature. The incident occurred at Manu Bay during the men’s semi-finals of the New Zealand Pro, prompting officials to issue a "code red" and halt the competition just ten minutes after it began. The photographer, identified as Australian Ed Sloane, suffered puncture wounds to his ankle and lost a flipper during the encounter.
Emergency Response and Event Suspension
The attack took place just before 8:30 a.m., drawing the attention of dozens of spectators and organizers who sounded a horn to signal the emergency. Competing surfers from Brazil, who were already in the water at the time, were quickly extracted on jet skis. Renato Hickel, vice president of tours and competition, confirmed that this was the first time the league had activated a code red for such an incident. He noted that the Brazilian surfers, Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira, were shaken by the event, having witnessed the splash and the subsequent chaos.
Identity of the Creature Remains Uncertain
While the exact identity of the animal has not been confirmed, medical personnel on the scene leaned toward the possibility that it was a sea lion rather than a shark. The wounds were described as puncture wounds, which are consistent with a sea lion bite, though officials stated they could not rule out other marine life. "At this stage we are not certain if it was a shark or a sea lion. The doctor on the scene was inclined to think it was a sea lion. Nevertheless, very scary," Hickel said. The league emphasized that the safety of staff and competitors remains their top priority, promising further updates as more information becomes available.
Photographer’s Condition and Public Reaction
Ed Sloane, who was filming the event, managed to thank the water patrol and medical teams for their rapid response. In a statement, he confirmed he was "doing okay" and receiving medical attention for bites to his left foot. "I’ve had bites to my left foot and am getting medical attention. Massive thank you to our water patrol for the quick response," Sloane wrote, adding that he was in good spirits despite the trauma. The incident has drawn comparisons to a similar high-profile event in 2015, when Australian surfer Mick Fanning fought off a shark during the J-Bay Pro in South Africa, an encounter that was captured on live television. The competition was set to resume at noon, with organizers expressing hope for a safe conclusion to the event.
