Surfing is an exhilarating sport that attracts millions of people to beaches around the world every year. However, as with any activity that takes place in the open water, there are risks involved, and one of the most significant is the threat of shark attacks. The threat of these apex predators once resulted in the cancellation of the famous Margaret River Pro competition in 2018. 

It is a renowned surfing competition that takes place every year in Western Australia’s Margaret River region. However, in 2018, a series of deadly shark attacks led to the cancellation of the event. 

The extraordinary situation requires extraordinary steps

In April 2018, two separate shark attacks occurred, just a few kilometers from the Margaret River Pro competition site. The first attack occurred at Cobblestones, where a man was bitten on the leg while surfing. Shortly after, a 41-year-old was attacked at Lefthander’s break. Both victims were airlifted to Perth for medical treatment, but tragically, the man did not survive his injuries.

Following the attacks, the local government closed beaches in the area, and the World Surf League, which organizes the Margaret River Pro, decided to cancel the remainder of the event. “If we decided to continue the event under the current circumstances and something terrible were to take place, we would never forgive ourselves,” WSL chief executive Sophie Goldschmidt told the Sydney Herald. This decision was made in consultation with local authorities and surfers participating in the competition.

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The cancellation of the Margaret River Pro was a significant event in the surfing world, as the competition is one of the most iconic events on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour. However, the safety of surfers and beachgoers is always the top priority, and the decision to cancel the event was made with this in mind. The sudden news of the suspension shocked the entire surfing community as the annual event holds great importance in deciding the global rankings. It also sparked a renewed discussion about shark conservation and human interaction with sharks.

Rising concerns around shark attacks

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the impact of the increase in the number of shark attacks on humans. Recently, At St. Lucie beach, a teenage surfer by the name of Matthew Picarelli had a terrifying brush with a shark that left him critically damaged, exposing the realities of surfing. 

The cancellation of the Margaret River Pro in 2018 was a tragic event, but it also served as a reminder of the importance of balancing human activities with the natural world. As we continue to enjoy the world’s oceans and beaches, it is important to remember that we share these spaces with a wide range of marine wildlife, including sharks. 

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