Surfing is fun but surfers continue to face a life-threatening risk: shark attacks. Apart from perils like hitting the reef, shark attacks are what the surfing community dreads most. The aggressive sea creatures often drift into a closer radius to surfers, leading to gruesome incidents. Similarly, a report by Hawaii News Now revealed that the Hawaii State Championship was interrupted by a 12-foot shark at the famed Ala Moana Bowls after it swam near the shallow waters. 

Two surfers were mid-competing when the incident occurred. Young surfer, Kiki Oshiro Kaneshiro had just showcased her skills, moments before the two surfers, and was left terrified after she heard the news. 

Surfing event halted due to shark risk

According to the publication, the huge predator was spotted around 11 a.m. on Friday, amid the Hawaii Surfing Association state championships. Fortunately, no one was affected but the events for the day were canceled. “It was super scary. I feel really bad for those girls. I really hope they’re okay and not really traumatized by anything, because I’m scared right now talking about it,” 12-year-old Kaneshiro said. 

Numerous shark warning signs were put up while lifeguards were alerted and patrolled the surf spots for any probable risks. Veteran surfer, area boater, and fisherman, David Kuwada enlightened, “Ala Moana is notorious for sharks.” He added that it’s the ideal locus for the sharks due to the “freshwater coming out (of the Ala Wai Canal) with all the feeder fish and then the river mouth right there coming out to the ocean.”

Read More: “Heard Someone Was in Trouble”: Amidst Tricky and Taxing Conditions, Surf Lifesaving Athlete Rescues a Man After Competing at an Event All Day Long

Moreover, there have been quite a few shark encounters in the region in the past few weeks. Surfline held captive another large shark floating inside the Bowls lineup weeks ago. Speculations are that it is caused due to the rising temperatures of the ocean in relation to an El Nino climate pattern. The athletes will resume the competitive events this weekend, with no doubts of meeting a shark. Likewise, another bizarre incident recently took place in a shark-prone area, which injured a professional kiteboarder.

Kite surfing session gone wrong

67-year-old athlete, Kevin Carlton Scott was rushed to Miami-Dade Hospital on Saturday after a shark jawed his leg during a kitesurfing stretch at Key West Island in Florida. The local police launched a probe into the matter after they were informed of the incident at around 2 p.m.

As per sources, he was surfing at the Blue Fish Channel about six miles off the shore. His wife, Laurie Scott was waiting on the boat when she was alarmed by her husband’s scream. She called 911 and informed them that her husband was attacked by a shark and was treated by emergency medical services. However, shark attacks haven’t been unusual in the waters of Key Island. 

Watch this story: “Most Terrifying Things” 29-Year-Old Recalls a Life-Threatening Shark Attack Experience From 2016