WSL moving remainder of Maui Pro following shark attack at Honolua

The Maui News

The World Surf League is relocating the Maui Pro surf competition to "an alternate location in Hawaii," the WSL announced Wednesday.

The decision was made following a fatal shark attack on a recreational surfer early Tuesday morning at Honolua Bay. The Maui Pro -- the first event of the WSL women's Championship Tour season -- had run a full day of competition at Honolua on Monday and had been set to run Finals Day on Tuesday before putting the event on hold.

"After working with local authorities and discussing with our surfers, the WSL has made the decision not to continue running the remaining heats at Honolua Bay after a shark incident with a recreational surfer," the WSL said on its website Wednesday afternoon before the victim's death was reported. "We are working on options to complete the Maui Pro presented by ROXY event at an alternate location in Hawaii and will update everyone soon."

A 56-year-old Lahaina man died Wednesday after he was attacked by a shark while surfing at Honolua Bay on Tuesday morning, according to a hospital official.

Maui Health spokeswoman Tracy Dallarda said Wednesday evening that the victim had succumbed to his injuries. He had been taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for surgery and was in critical condition as of Tuesday night.

Dallarda said that out of respect for patient privacy, the hospital would not release the victim's name.

The Maui Pro has just four heats remaining: a quarterfinal between California's Sage Erickson and Kauai's Tatiana Weston-Webb; semifinal heats featuring four-time world champion Carissa Moore of Honolulu and Australians Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons; and the final.