Australian Open Water Swimming Occasion Cancelled Following 4 Shark Assaults in Three Days

The Sydney Harbor Splash, an Australia Day open water occasion in Vancluse (west of Sydney), has been cancelled following 4 shark assaults over a three-day span alongside the coast of New South Wales.

2026’s Sydney Harbor Splash was set to happen on January twenty sixth, also called Australia Day, marking the tenth time the occasion has been held, with swimmers starting at Rose Bay and providing 1km, 2.5km, and 5km choices.

The seashores alongside the mid-north coast had acquired reviews of 4 separate shark assaults in three days, main organizers of the occasion to cancel, following one of many assaults, which concerned a 12-year-old boy being critically injured.

According to the New Zealand Herald, the primary assault, that of the 12-year-old boy, was bitten by a bull shark on a Sydney Harbour seashore on Sunday afternoon, leaving him with vital accidents to each legs.

The following day, an 11-year-old boy was knocked off his board at Dee Why seashore, narrowly escaping with no accidents, however he did have a chew taken out of the board.

The third occurred later that very same day, as a 27-year-old man was bitten on the calf at North Steyne, simply over six kilometers (3.79 miles) from Dee Why seashore. According to a report from the New Zealand Herald, the person was rushed to the hospital in vital situation after dropping giant quantities of blood.

According to ABC News Australia, a bunch of surfers in Point Plomer had reportedly seen 4 sharks earlier than a person was knocked off his board, and was later discovered with a piece bitten out of his board, and chew marks via his wetsuit, however was solely handled for minor cuts. This assault marked the fourth in 72 hours.

According to NBC News, organizers of the occasions stated on Monday the cancellation comes “out of deep respect for the young boy who was tragically attacked yesterday, and for his family and friends.”

On common, Australia information a median of 20 injury-causing shark assaults yearly, and fewer than three deaths from shark assaults. In 2025, Australia had reported 23 shark chew incidents, with 2026 having already recorded 5 via the primary three weeks of the calendar yr; no deaths have but been reported.