Shark Waits For Sage Erickson And Johanne Defay To Enter Water Before Breaching

The girls returned to the water. But, roughly 45 minutes ago (from time of posting) a six-foot shark reportedly breached out the back at Lowers. Word from the scaffolding is, the girls hobbled back up the cobblestone, the groms surfing south of the contest area were cleared to the beach, and the skis searched the greater Lowers region. And, the folks at Uppers were left to fend for themselves. 

“We had a shark spotted just behind the lineup, we wanted to bring the surfers in,” the women’s commish, Jesse Miley-Dyer told Rosie Hodge after the incident. “We were able to send out the lifeguards, they’ve accessed the situation and they’ve determined the animal is not there. We are going to go straight into quarterfinals.”

The contest went on hold for a quick 30, then Sage and Joanne returned to the water, with little worry. 

“I guess there was a big fish out the back that neither of us saw,” said Sage after her heat, being careful not to make the “shark” call.  “Big fish are the same part of the ocean as we are. We didn’t feel nervous about it. I’m happy to make it into the semi-finals.”