World Surf League competition cancelled after shark attack leaves Hawaii surfer critically injured

State officials were working to determine if the shark remained in the waters off Maui’s Honolua Bay

A 56-year-old surfer has been rushed to hospital following a shark attack in Hawaii, which led to the cancellation of a World Surf League competition.

The unidentified man, who was not involved in the women’s pro-competition, had gone surfing just before 8 am on Tuesday morning when the shark attacked near the bay's old boat ramp, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Images released by Hawaii officials show where a shark took a 17-inch bite out of the man’s surfboard during the attack in the waters off Honolua Bay in Maui.

Conditions were prime for a shark attack due to low water visibility near the mouth of a river, according to Da Kind Surf Marketing Director, Micah Nickens.

Mr Nickens told local news KHON2 the attack left witnesses traumatised as ocean safety pulled the victim from the water and administered CPR.

“It was really sombre and really sad. It was a very eerie feeling to be a part of,” he said.

“It was heavy. It was incredible, I mean, people are crying … One of the little girls was out in the water. She’s like eight. I don’t know if she’ll ever recover from it. To be honest, it really scared her."

The Maui Pro, scheduled to start two hours later, was placed on indefinite hold with World Surf League chief executive Erik Logan announcing the event's cancellation in a video.

"There’s going to be no competition at the Maui Pro following a shark incident that happened in the bay with a recreational surfer this morning,” Mr Logan said.

"We'll have more information as it goes as we continue to work with local officials and authorities on the status. Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with this victim."

The semi-finals of the women's pro surfing event, set to get underway between Australian surfers Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons, was put on hold indefinitely.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a statement that shark warning signs were placed either side of the bay, from Fleming Beach Park to Punalau Beach, and would remain there for at least a day.

"Following standard protocol, after a shark incident, warning signs will remain in place until at least noon on Wednesday, after Maui County and State personnel determine there is no further shark presence," the statement said.

Maui Memoria Medical Centre said the shark attack victim was in a stable condition after coming out of surgery.

Honolua Bay Shark Incident, Dec. 8, 2020 from Hawaii DLNR on Vimeo.