A Second Crocodile Sighting Halts WQS (Again) In Costa Rica

You’ll no doubt recall last week, when grom Tyler Gunter was kinda chased out of the water at the Q3000 Essential Costa Rica Open after spotting a crocodile floating in the lineup during his heat.

Well, it happened again. This time, it was Brazilian Tales Rodrigues surfing his round six match up against Noe Mar McGonagle, Luke Dillon and Ethan Ewing, when Tales spotted the croc, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. “I ended my wave and was paddling back strongly when I saw the turbulence in the water,” Tales said. Understandably, he was rattled: “It was about the size of my surfboard. I have no words to describe what I’m feeling right now, it was truly terrifying.”

Tales alerted water safety immediately and the two surfers got the hell outta Dodge. “Rodrigues’ quick actions to make the water safety aware was amazing and the water safety team’s rapid response was truly commendable,” WSL North America tour manager Brian Robbins said.

Gorgeous, tropical croc paradise! WSL/Andrew Nichols

Brian has just survived the least enviable job in surfing: Overseeing a contest where there’s the very real threat of prehistoric predators. With two crocodile sightings on two separate days at the Essential Costa Rica QS, it can’t have been an easy decision sending kids back out there to compete. “The safety of our athletes is of the highest priority for the WSL and the decision was made to call the contest off for the day immediately.”

Gladly, the last thing we’ll be reporting from the Essential Costa Rica is that Ethan Ewing went on to eventually win.

Ethan, en route to victory despite the croc scare(s). WSL/Johan Pacheco