WSL New Zealand Pro Suspended After Photographer Attacked During Live Finals Day

A frightening safety incident briefly stopped the World Surf League’s New Zealand Pro on finals day after Australian water photographer Ed Sloane was bitten while working in the surf at Manu Bay, near Raglan.

The competition was in the middle of a men’s semi-final between Brazil’s Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira when the water suddenly became unsafe. Officials responded by activating a “code red” protocol and ordering surfers out of the lineup. Both competitors were taken from the water on jet skis while medical and safety crews moved quickly toward Sloane.

Sloane, an experienced surf photographer, had been shooting from the water when he suffered bite wounds to his left foot and ankle. One of his flippers was also ripped off during the incident. He was treated at the scene and later taken to hospital, with organisers saying his injuries were minor and that he was in stable condition.

The WSL initially said it was unclear whether the bite came from a shark, seal or sea lion. However, medical staff at the beach were reportedly leaning toward a seal or sea lion as the likely animal involved. More details were later reported by The Guardian, which said the photographer was attacked just before 8:30am while covering the semi-finals.

WSL commissioner Renato Hickel told the broadcast that Sloane was “in good spirits” despite the scare. He also said the incident had shaken the surfers, who saw the disturbance unfold close to the competition area.

At the time of the suspension, Dora was ahead of Ferreira 6.33 to 3.00, with less than 15 minutes completed in the 35-minute heat. The pause gave officials time to reassess the water, check on the safety of competitors and decide whether finals day could continue.

Sloane later thanked the water patrol, medical team and event staff for their fast response. His message helped ease concern around the beach, where a large crowd had gathered to watch one of the biggest surf contests ever staged in New Zealand.

The incident naturally brought back memories of Mick Fanning’s 2015 shark encounter at the J-Bay Open in South Africa, another live-televised moment that showed how quickly a professional surf contest can turn dangerous. This time, the outcome was far less severe, but it again highlighted the risks faced not only by surfers but also by photographers and safety teams working in open ocean conditions.

The New Zealand Pro had already delivered major storylines before the interruption. Australian Morgan Cibilic reached the men’s final after beating American Griffin Colapinto, while the women’s final was set between Carissa Moore and Sawyer Lindblad.

The WSL season has been packed with big results and dramatic moments, including George Pittar’s breakthrough Margaret River Pro victory, which Swikblog covered here: George Pittar Wins Margaret River Pro 2026.

After safety checks, organisers moved toward resuming the event. For the WSL, the biggest relief was that Sloane’s injuries were not life-threatening and that the emergency response worked quickly when the situation changed without warning.

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