6.5ft Shark Scare Halts Caity Simmers Heat and Ignites WSL Rule Uproar (Video)

“A shark was spotted within 500 meters of the competition zone during Women’s Round 2, Heat 3, and the heat was immediately put on hold in accordance with WSL safety protocols,” said Renato Hickel, WSL VP Tours and Competition. “Event officials and the water safety team monitored the situation and determined to keep the heat on hold until the next competition day. After activating our response protocols and discussing with the surfers, Women’s Round 2, Heat 3 will either resume or restart the heat, depending on the conditions on the next competition day. The safety of our surfers and staff remains our top priority. The next call will be tomorrow morning at 6:45 a.m. for a possible 7:05 a.m. start.”

Cue the controversy. Restart the heat from the beginning, or resume where they left off?

In the comments section to the post from The Lago Podcast, folks sounded off:

“That rule has to be changed,” wrote Logan “Chucky” Dulien of Snapt surf film fame. “[I] feel like it’s non debatable from any side. As soon as scores are on the board. If the heat gets stopped for whatever reason they should resume the heat not a full restart.”

“Who decides what size shark and proximity to surfers goes on hold?” penned renowned surf photographer Jimmy “Jimmicane” Wilson. “One time in New Smyrna ex-CT judge Dylan Feindt got bit during his NSSA heat. They finally called the comp off when that happened but sharks were biting everything that day. I think 15 total in 24 hours.”

When competition resumed the following day, Simmers advanced on to the next round. So, all the hullabaloo was moot, regardless. But still, an interesting rule.

It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the first time recently that a WSL contest has been called off due to a shark sighting. On the other side of the world, during the Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro, a QS 4,000 event, an “aggressive” 10-foot shark forced a 24-hour water closure.

Stay safe.