Top surfers back at Tweed Coast Pro but unsettled by recent shark attacks
They are competing for the first time in months after COVID-19 saw most of their competitions cancelled. But recent shark attacks have surfers on edge - especially after a sighting near their competition area.
Central Coast
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He’s thrilled to be back in a competition vest but world tour surfer Ace Buchan has admitted to being “unsettled ‘’ by recent shark attacks.
The Central Coast surfer was on Sunday back in the water competing at the Tweed Coast Pro which is part of the World Surf League Australian Grand Slam of Surfing.
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The event is being run at Cabarita Head this week - the first for many since COVID forced the cancellation of the world tour and most major surfing events around the world.
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The venue is not also not far from where Nick Slater was attacked by a shark and died at Greenmount Beach last week - around 20km up the coast.
So when a shark was sighted near the competition area the event was put on hold briefly on Sunday and surfers scooped up by safety jet-skis.
After advancing out of his first heat against the son of a man he idolised as a young surfer himself, Buchan admitted to feeling unsettled by recent shark activity although the WSL had overhead and onwater surveillance and other safety protocols including a surf ski per surfer at the event.
“It plays on your mind a bit but you have to be smart about it, We have really good surveillance here, they put pretty good measures in place,’’ he said.
“But we are surfing in their home. They will always be there.
“It is unsettling to see what is happening.’’
Following recent attacks 2020 is now Australia’s deadliest year with six deaths and 19 shark related incidents.
On Sunday Buchan beat local wildcard Micah Margieson, son of legendary freesurfer Brenden ‘‘Margo’’ Margieson.
“He had such a big influence on me,’’ Buchann said of his opponents father.
“His breed of raw, power surfing was a big influence on me so to have a heat against his son was pretty special. Part of me was cheering for him.’’
The entire Australian Olympic team is surfing at the event in seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons, Owen Wright and Julian Wilson.
The Grand Slam of Surfing is being contested by 24 of Australia’s best surfers.
The women’s and men’s overall series champions will each win $20,000 too donate to a charity of their choice.