Mystery sea creature attack on photographer halts New Zealand surfing contest
Tourists filmed surfing along canals in Venice
The World Surf League event in New Zealand was abruptly cancelled after an Australian photographer covering the competition was taken to hospital following an attack by an unknown sea creature.
Photographer Ed Sloane sustained puncture wounds to his ankle during the men’s semi-finals at Manu Bay, with the incident occurring just before 8:30 am on Monday.
A ‘code red’ was immediately issued, leading to the extraction of competing Brazilian surfers from the water via jet skis. The competition was halted 10 minutes after it started but was set to resume at noon.
While the exact identity of the attacker remains unconfirmed, with speculation between a shark or a sea lion, the on-scene doctor suggested it was consistent with a sea lion bite.
Mr Sloane confirmed he was ‘doing okay’ and receiving medical attention, expressing gratitude for the swift response from water patrol and medical teams, an incident reminiscent of Mick Fanning’s shark encounter 11 years prior.
