floriparesort.com – 25 May 2026 | The World Surf League halted New Zealand Pro event was put on hold after a photographer was bitten by a sea creature, believed to be a shark or a sea lion, on Monday. The incident occurred during the men’s semi-finals, where Brazilian surfers Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira were competing. Australian photographer Ed Sloane was the victim of the attack, which happened in Raglan on the North Island. As a result, the World Surf League halted the event and activated a ‘code red’ while medical teams responded to the incident.
According to Renato Hickel, World Surf League vice-president of tours and competition, Sloane had ‘small puncture wounds’ and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Hickel stated that the doctor on the scene believed the attack was more likely to be from a sea lion than a shark. Despite the uncertainty, the incident was ‘very scary’ and Italo and Yago were ‘very shaken’ after witnessing the splash and the incident.
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The World Surf League halted the event to ensure the safety of the surfers and the crew. The incident is a rare occurrence in the region, and the World Surf League halted the event as a precautionary measure. The event resumed after several hours with additional safety measures, including jet skis and a drone spotter to monitor the water.
The World Surf League halted New Zealand Pro event is one of the largest surf events in the country, and the incident has raised concerns about the safety of surfers and photographers in the water. However, the World Surf League halted the event to prioritize the safety of everyone involved. The incident is a reminder of the risks associated with surfing and the importance of being prepared for unexpected events.
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In a statement, Sloane thanked the medical team and the World Surf League water patrol for their ‘immediate assistance’ after the attack. He said, ‘I am doing okay, I’ve had bites to my left foot and am getting medical attention.’ The World Surf League halted the event to ensure that Sloane received the necessary medical attention and to prevent any further incidents.
The World Surf League halted New Zealand Pro event will resume once the safety of the surfers and the crew is guaranteed. The incident has highlighted the importance of safety measures in surf events and the need for emergency response plans. The World Surf League halted the event to prioritize the safety of everyone involved and to ensure that the event continues without any further incidents.
In conclusion, the World Surf League halted New Zealand Pro event due to a photographer being attacked by a sea creature, believed to be a shark or a sea lion. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of surfers and photographers in the water, but the World Surf League halted the event to prioritize their safety. The event will resume once the safety of everyone involved is guaranteed, and the incident will serve as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in surf events.