Raglan Finals Day Halted As Mystery Sea Creature Attacks Water Photographer

The Men’s second semifinal of the New Zealand Pro at Manu Bay was swiftly put on hold this morning after a sizable sea creature decided to sink its teeth into revered water photographer Ed Sloane’s ankle.

Ed’s splashes and quick leap onto the ski drew the attention of the organisers who sounded the horn.

Reports from a paramedic at the scene said Ed had puncture marks on his ankle and his flipper was ripped off. He was later taken to hospital by ambulance, but is reportedly in stable condition.

Lifeguards at the event said: “It could have been a seal, or a soft-mouthed shark,” referring to a less Jaws-like species such as the Sevengill, which is common around New Zealand’s North Island. The seal commentary is likely wishful thinking as no seal had been spotted in the bay since yesterday, and the New Zealand fur seal’s average breath-hold is just short of 2-minutes.

A veteran WSL water photographer, Ed would’ve been relieved when he found out the J-Bay event was moving to the supposedly less-sharky waters of Raglan, but this comfort was quickly dispelled.

A group of hardcore Manu Bay groms were quick to seize the opportunity, jumping into the water shortly after the attack, but were quickly removed.

The last reported shark attack at Manu Bay was in 2006, when 10-year-old Elliot Paerata-Reid was bitten on the foot by a shark whose description also matched the features of a Sevengill. Given the Sevengill shark can live for up to 30 years, this could just be Manu Bay’s heaviest local.

The next call is at 12:00pm local time.

Get well soon, Sloaney.