The WSL isn’t taking any chances. And why should they? Big predators have already shut down one event this year. And everyone knows about Mick’s fistfight with one of the ocean’s apex beasts here two years ago. That’s why, when a shark was spotted ‘at the end of Impossibles and out to sea about 200 yards..’ heats were stopped.
After the shark moved on, Jordy Smith continued his hot streak (he eliminated Kelly Slater that morning) by beating Thomas Hermes and Frederico Morais took down Kolohe Andino in Heat 4 of Round 3 before the event was called off for the day.
“The plane was watching the shark swim out the back, around the corner and a kilometer out to sea,” said commissioner Kieren Perrow. When asked how big the predator was Perrow hesitated before admitting it was worth taking a look. “It was big enough for us to stop heats for a while and bring everyone in and make sure everyone was safe.”
