Photographer Injured in Water Attack During NZ Surf Competition

The finals day of the World Surf League’s New Zealand Pro event was paused after a photographer was attacked in the water by a sea creature believed to be a shark or sea lion.

The incident occurred during Monday’s men’s semifinals between Brazilian surfers Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira in Raglan on New Zealand’s North Island. A ‘code red’ was activated as the event was temporarily suspended while medical teams responded.

World Surf League vice-president of tours and competition, Renato Hickel, stated that photographer Australian Ed Sloane sustained “small puncture wounds” and was transported to hospital via ambulance. “We activate the code red when it’s a sea life attack on a surfer or a photographer,” Hickel said during the WSL broadcast. “This time it was our beloved water photographer and thank God he’s in good spirits. He’s well considering what happened.”

Hickel noted uncertainty about the attacking animal, adding: “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 were very shaken. They saw the splash and the incident, so another reason to put the event on hold.”

Sloane expressed gratitude for the medical response and WSL water patrol assistance in a statement shared by the surf league: “I am doing okay, I’ve had bites to my left foot and am getting medical attention. I love this place and can’t wait to watch an epic Finals Day. Cheering for everyone for a great finish to the event.”

The competition resumed several hours later with enhanced safety measures including additional jet skis and a drone spotter monitoring the water. It remains unclear what exact animal attacked Sloane.

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