World Surf League Halts New Zealand Pro After 1 Photographer Is Bitten by Sea Creature
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 25
World Surf League Halts New Zealand Pro After 1 Photographer Is Bitten by Sea Creature
7 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 25
Finals day at the New Zealand Pro was stopped about 10 minutes into the men’s semi-final after a water photographer was bitten near Raglan around 8:30 a.m.
Minor puncture wounds sent the photographer to hospital in stable condition, and officials said it was still unclear whether a shark or a sea lion caused the bite.
Jet skis pulled Brazil’s Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira from the water after they witnessed the splash, prompting WSL to activate its first-ever “code red” suspension.
Organizers said they hoped to restart the Dora-Ferreira heat just after midday Monday, pending further safety assessments at Manu Bay.
The New Zealand Pro is the country’s biggest surf event, and such attacks on surfers or swimmers in the Raglan area are described as extremely rare.
Shark or sea lion? Why does the attacker's identity in Raglan matter so much for the future of New Zealand's surf events?
After a sea creature attack, what does the WSL's secret 'code red' protocol mean for the future of surfer safety?
When wild animals attack at sporting events, who is ultimately responsible for the safety of staff in the water?