Stab Magazine | 13-year-old surfer killed in Reunion Island shark attack

Live Now: Chapter 11 Mini-Documentary With Dane Reynolds

4875 Views

13-year-old surfer killed in Reunion Island shark attack

Story by Craig Jarvis A 13-year-old surfer named Elio Canestri was killed in a shark attack at Les Aigrettes, Reunion Island this morning. It’s believed that the attack happened during an official coaching session at the righthander, shortly before 9am. The shark attacked Elio’s right arm, right leg and abdomen. A boat was checking buoys for […]

news // Mar 8, 2016
Words by stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Story by Craig Jarvis

A 13-year-old surfer named Elio Canestri was killed in a shark attack at Les Aigrettes, Reunion Island this morning. It’s believed that the attack happened during an official coaching session at the righthander, shortly before 9am.

The shark attacked Elio’s right arm, right leg and abdomen. A boat was checking buoys for information on tagged sharks in the area, and removed him from the water, but Elio did not survive his injuries.

Reunion-raised surfer Jeremy Flores payed tribute to Elio on Instagram: “ANOTHER shark attack in Réunion island this morning. 13 years old Elio was one of our best up and coming surfer. Words can’t describe how sad and angry i am. So young !!! Heart breaking News. RIP.”

Red flags have been raised at beaches along the west coast, and several commercial fishing boats are attempting to find and capture the shark.

The island is still under a total surfing ban, a response to the high number of attacks that was extended in February this year. As Stab detailed a few weeks ago, there were new measures put in place to get surfers back in the water: Reunion had initiated protected surf training sessions for the elite surfers on the island, wherein surfers in the session are protected by divers with spear guns. But it appears that there were no divers present for this training session.

This morning’s coaching session was for elite young surfers who were chosen as having potential to become French champions. Elio was reported to be one of the great hopes of the current young surfing crew.

“It’s another terrible tragedy,” said local surfer and Stab friend Davey Stolk. “Condolences to the family and friends in this terrible time.”

This is the 16th shark attack in Reunion since 2011, seven of which have been fatal. The last attack occurred at L’Etang Sale on February 14, when a 22-year-old girl was killed while swimming.

“I don’t know why they don’t just get in a helicopter and sniper the thing,” said a clearly frustrated Stolk. “Nothing is really being done!”

This attack could be the final rattling of the Reunion surf and tourism industry, already brought to its knees by the recent spate of shark attacks.

“Hopefully now the French Government will implement and follow through on an effective protection program, and follow advice from South Africa and Australia,” said Stolk. “These countries have 40 years experience in this stuff, or longer. The shark attacks have been around since the 60s in both these countries. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I seriously just wish that the French Government would get their shit together!”

Stab wishes sincere condolences to family and friend of Elio. Be careful out there.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Watch: João Chianca Had A Remarkable Hawaii Season Before His Injury

Plus an update on his condition.

Mar 28, 2024

Pittar’d And Feathered

Do the WSL judges deserve the internet's wrath? We asked the man of the hour.

Mar 28, 2024

Robbo, Pickles, And Tyler Wright Become The Underdogs Breakfast At Uninspiring Winkipop

The foreboding blade sharpens and inconsistent judging prevails on Day Two in Torquay.

Mar 27, 2024

“I Don’t Always Win Heats, But When I Do, I Try To Beat John John”

Slater shines and the axe begins its descent on Day 01 at Bells.

Mar 26, 2024

Back Against The Wall: The Ramzi Boukhiam Redemption

Morocco's first CT surfer on speaking six languages, having no coach, and snatching Fil Toledo's…

Mar 25, 2024

Will Kirra, Babies or JJF Stop a GOAT Winning at Bells?

Bluesky BOAG advice from a Superman specialist and former Trials winner.

Mar 25, 2024

Bells Preview: The WSL’s Victorian Sword Dancing Equinox Ritual

Will a Brazilian crack the Top 10 at Bells?

Mar 25, 2024

69 Shin Bones Later + the Anticlimactic State of Big Wave Record-Breaking

Lucas Chumbo might have surfed the biggest wave ever this year. But how will we…

Mar 23, 2024

Watch: ‘Fresh and Fried’ Ft the Quik Kids

How taxing is it to tackle the Gold Coast’s Triple Crown in a single day,…

Mar 23, 2024

The Popular Vote: The People’s Stab In The Dark With Kolohe Andino Champion

Which board looked best — to you —under Kolohe's talons?

Mar 22, 2024

Six Key Learnings From Portugal

Three CT events in, what do we know? 

Mar 21, 2024

‘Zipper’ Is Going On Tour, Here’s Where You Can Watch It  

Dates, times + locations for the Venice, Encinitas, Sydney + Byron premieres.  

Mar 20, 2024

Dane Reynolds On His Future, His Past, And Chapter 11’s Raison D’être

Our 9-minute plunge into the collective psyche of Ventura's pillar(s).

Mar 20, 2024

From ‘Blue Ribbon Cross Country Runner’ to Vogue – How Steph Again Is Back With A Rip Curl Remix

Everything we know about the she-GOATs sponsorship boomerang.

Mar 18, 2024

Stab Interview: Darren Handley Explains Why You Can’t Buy The Winning Stab In The Dark Model

And his decades-long standoff with Slater.

Mar 17, 2024

Griff Embraces Portugal’s Eternal Time Loop To Vanquish Medina + Ewing, Defay Delays The Inevitable

A redeeming closing act at Supertubos.

Mar 16, 2024

The Secret Behind Lungi Slabb’s Inconceivable Greenmount Funnel

Six broken boards, one leaking forehead, and five days of Superbank mysticism.

Mar 16, 2024

Cheat Codes: A Million Miles Worth Of Travel Advice From Coco Ho

Hard-earned wisdom from more than 2,000 hours in the troposphere.

Mar 15, 2024
Advertisement