Photographer suffers attack from marine animal during stage of world surfing circuit in New Zealand

Ed Sloane, WSL photographer, was attacked by a marine animal during the semifinal between Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira on Raglan. The professional had his flipper ripped off in the water and suffered deep injuries to his left foot and ankle. The rescue took just 18 seconds after the Australian’s cry for help.

Detalhes from attack and immediate rescue

The accident occurred during the fourth stage of Circuito Mundial from Surfe to Nova Zelândia. Ed Sloane was photographing the competition when he was surprised by the bites. Assim raised his arms asking for help, surfers Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira realized what had happened and WSL immediately sent a jet ski to the rescue.

• The photographer quickly ripped his arm away when he felt the first attack
• The duck foot was completely removed during the attack
• The water was removed in less than 20 seconds
• The semi-final was postponed for approximately 4 hours

Segundo Ed Sloane, the animal hit him hard. “I realized almost instantly what was happening because he ripped my flipper off my foot, it was too far away to have just floated there. Foi when I raised my arm and screamed.” The rescue was so quick that someone at the scene commented to the photographer about the speed of the operation already inside the jet ski.

Gravidade of injuries and uncertain diagnosis

The injuries suffered by Ed Sloane are serious. Ele described the holes left in the foot as deep and wide, comparing the situation to multiple puncture wounds. “I think they are worried about some tendons and nerves. The holes are very serious. São deep and wide. Parece I was stabbed about six times”, said the photographer before undergoing surgery.

Quanto to the animal responsible for the attack, there is disagreement among experts. Doctors who treated Ed and Raglan believe it was a shark, based on the pattern of the bites. However, the sea at Raglan is often home to sea lions, which led to this species being considered an initial suspect. Ed highlighted that local doctors are not experts and that an expert opinion has not yet been obtained.

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Reação emotional and immediate shock

The photographer revealed that he did not understand the seriousness of the situation in the first moments. Estava trying to process what had happened when he noticed the blood. “I wasn’t scared. Eu was more trying to understand what had happened, why it had hit me, obviously, but everything was confusing.” Ed wore a sock under his fins and a rubber suit, both of which were punctured by the attack.

When Apenas removed the sock and the blood started gushing out, Ed went into total shock. Dentro on the jet ski, lying next to the WSL reporter, the photographer found himself completely shaken and emotional. “I was super emotional, lying on Kaipo, very shaken and unable to understand properly. Acho was the real shock”, he added.

Retomada of the competition and next steps

Após 4 hours of stoppage, the WSL resumed the semi-final. Italo Ferreira won the title of the fourth stage of the year and took the lead in the world rankings. The next stage of Circuito Mundial of Surfe will take place in El Salvador between June 5th and 15th, with 100% Brazilian competition in the second round. Atualmente, Brasil occupies the top 4 positions in the ranking, with 6 athletes in the top 10.