A World Surf League competition in New Zealand was suddenly suspended after a photographer covering the event was bitten by an unidentified sea creature during the men’s semi finals.
The incident happened Monday morning at Manu Bay during the New Zealand Pro competition. Australian photographer Ed Sloane was filming in the water when he suffered puncture wounds to his ankle in what officials described as a serious marine animal encounter.
Emergency Code Red Triggered
The attack happened shortly before 8:30 a.m., prompting officials to immediately activate a “code red” emergency response for the first time in the event’s history.
Surfers already competing in the water, including Brazilian stars Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira, were quickly removed by jet ski after witnesses saw splashing near the photographer.
Event organizers stopped the competition only minutes after it began.
“The safety of our staff and competitors are our priority,” the World Surf League said in a statement following the incident.
Photographer Suffers Bite Injuries
According to organizers, Sloane’s flipper was ripped off during the attack, and he was taken for medical treatment shortly afterward.
Despite the frightening encounter, Sloane later reassured fans that he was recovering.
“I’m doing okay,” he said, thanking the water patrol and medical teams for their rapid response.
He added that he hoped the event would continue successfully once conditions were deemed safe.
Shark Or Sea Lion Remains Unclear
Officials have not yet confirmed what animal caused the attack.
World Surf League vice president Renato Hickel said early medical evaluations suggested the injuries may have been caused by a sea lion rather than a shark, though authorities were still uncertain.
“At this stage we are not certain if it was a shark or a sea lion,” Hickel explained. “Nevertheless, very scary.”
The uncertainty surrounding the incident added to tensions among competitors and spectators gathered at the famous surf location.
Competition Later Resumed
Organizers temporarily paused the event following the attack but planned to resume competition later in the day once safety checks were completed.
The incident immediately drew comparisons to the famous 2015 shark encounter involving Australian surfer Mick Fanning during the J Bay Open in South Africa, where a shark attack was captured live on television.
While attacks during professional surf events remain extremely rare, the incident served as another reminder of the unpredictable nature of open ocean competition.
Reminder of Rare but Real Ocean Risks
While officials emphasized that attacks of this kind are extremely rare in professional surfing, the incident underscored the unpredictable nature of open water environments where athletes and photographers regularly operate.
