Surf photographer attacked in water by ‘shark or sea lion’

The finals day of the World Surf League’s New Zealand Pro occasion was paused after a photographer was attacked within the water by a sea creature that organisers consider was a shark or sea lion.

The incident occurred as Brazilian surfers Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira competed within the males’s semi-finals in Raglan on the North Island.

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A ‘code crimson’ was activated with the occasion placed on maintain on Monday whereas medical groups responded.

Renato Hickel, World Surf League vice-president of excursions and competitors, mentioned the photographer, Australian Ed Sloane, had “small puncture wounds” and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

“We activate the code red when it’s a sea life attack on a surfer or a photographer. This time it was our beloved water photographer and thank God he’s in good spirits. He’s well considering what happened,” Hickel mentioned on the WSL broadcast.

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He added: “At this stage we’re not certain if it was a shark or a sea lion. The doctor that was here helping on the scene was inclined to think it was a sea lion instead of a shark.

“Nevertheless very scary. Italo and Yago have been very shaken. They noticed the splash and the incident, so one more reason to place the occasion on maintain.

Sloane thanked the medical staff and the WSL water patrol for his or her “immediate assistance” in an announcement shared by the surf league.

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“I am doing okay, I’ve had bites to my left foot and am getting medical attention,” he mentioned.

“I love this place and can’t wait to watch an epic Finals Day,” he added. “Cheering for everyone for a great finish to the event.”

The occasion acquired again underneath method after a number of hours with security measures together with extra jet skis and a drone spotter to watch the water.

It stays unclear what bit Sloane.