Aussie stars Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons beached after shark attack in Maui

A shark attack on a local surfer in Maui halted competition in the Roxy Pro just hours before two Aussie stars were due to hit the water.

Aussie Tyler Wright scored a perfect 10 in the Maui Pro before a shark attack halted the semi-finals. Picture: Dayanidhi Das/World Surf League via Getty Images

Australian surf stars Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons had their semi-final at the Roxy Pro in Maui postponed on Wednesday after a local surfer was attacked by a shark.

It’s believed the attack happened early in the morning, less than three hours before the finals were set to get under way at Honolua Bay.

World Surf League chief executive Erik Low immediately cancelled the day’s surfing after the recreational surfer, a male, suffered injuries to his leg and needed CPR on shore before being taken to hospital.

Logan said organisers were working with local officials to assess when the competition could resume.

“We had a shark incident this morning with a recreational surfer. Due to that we are putting our event on hold indefinitely,” he said.

“Out thoughts and prayers are with this victim.”

The men’s Billabong Pipe Masters was still set to go ahead in Oahu.

Wright had earned her way into the semi-final after scoring a perfect 10 in the first quarter-final heat against fellow Aussies and seven-time world champ Steph Gilmore.

And the first Perfect 10 of the 2021 Season goes to... @tylerGwright. pic.twitter.com/rBwN5ZjUjG

— World Surf League (@wsl) December 8, 2020

After two years off due to illness, Wright, 26, only returned to surfing last year and is already showing the skill that won her two world titles.

Wright has also taken to the surf wearing a specially designed jersey that includes a Pride flag and Australian flag stitched into the rash vest.

Before the event Wright, who came out as bisexual last year, made a heartfelt post on Instagram declaring her reasons for making the flag statement.

“Today for me feels like another step in my realisation of my true and authentic self,” she wrote.

“As a proud bisexual woman of the LGBTQ+ community as well as an Australian, I’m delighted to be able to represent both this year on my competition jersey.”

Soaking up all the energy of the Bay on opening day of the @wsl season!! Excited for Finals day tomorrow 🤙 #MauiPro
...
Proud to be powered by my partners @AlmondBreezeAUS @UnderArmour @Breitling @boostaus @LandRoverAus @All @Sharpeyesurfbo1 @devikaworld @SurfFCS pic.twitter.com/NqMvcfvgXe

— Sally Fitzgibbons (@Sally_Fitz) December 8, 2020

Originally published as Aussie stars Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons beached after shark attack in Maui