Surfers are often on high alert for shark encounters while surfing, but an attack from a fish? That’s nearly unheard of—until recently. Just weeks ago, a tragedy struck in the waters of Masokut Island in Indonesia’s Mentawai archipelago, claiming the life of 36-year-old veteran surfing coach Giulia Manfrini. It was supposed to be another exhilarating day in the waves, but fate had an original plan. As she surfed, a needlefish—resembling a miniature swordfish with a slim, pointed bill—suddenly leaped from the water, striking Manfrini squarely in the chest.

The incident was so quick that she didn’t even have a moment to react, yet she managed to signal to her friends nearby, fellow surfing stars Massimo Ferro and Alexandre Ribas, who watched in disbelief as the freak accident unfolded before them. Acting fast, Ferro and Ribas provided first aid and rushed Manfrini to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Center in a seven-minute boat ride. Yet, despite their heroic efforts, the clinic couldn’t save her life. She had suffered a five-centimeter-deep stab wound to her chest’s upper left side.

Manfrini, originally from the Piedmont region of northern Italy, had over 20,000 Instagram followers, where her photos showcased her surfing and beach life in tropical locations. After graduating in law, she began her career as a snowboarding coach, later moving to Bali to pursue her passion for surfing and work as an instructor. In the aftermath of this devastating incident, the resort where she had been staying has taken crucial steps to enhance safety measures for surfers navigating these unpredictable waters.

Following the tragic loss of Giulia Manfrini, Alexandre Ribas, owner of Hidden Bay Resort, opened up with The Inertia about the glaring safety issues in the Mentawai Islands. Despite the $130 tax every surfer pays to visit the area, Ribas expressed frustration with the local government’s lack of support for the region’s hospital. “It’s been almost five years that guests have been paying that and nothing (has been done) by the government. They don’t give anything back to the surfers.”

Ribas highlighted that the facility is under-equipped for emergencies, lacking basic supplies like adrenaline shots and antibiotics. More serious cases require expensive evacuations, whether by speedboat to Padang or by air, to advanced medical centers in Singapore or Malaysia. Alexandre Ribas, who’s been living on the island for over a decade, emphasized that Hidden Bay Resort takes safety seriously.

They’re better prepared than the local hospital, with a stocked supply of emergency medications, first aid training, and guides who are ready to step in when necessary. “We are trained to do small stitches, first aid in emergencies. We try to be as best prepared as we can to deal with the situation.”

Ribas pointed out the importance of matching surfers to the right conditions, noting an increase in resorts, sending unprepared beginners into risky waves. Ribas’ resort only accepts guests with the skills to handle the surf safely, ensuring they know how to duck, dive, and maneuver through the waves. “We pay attention to the guests’ levels and we don’t accept beginners. And for low-intermediate surfers, we only take them to safe places.” Despite the shock from the incident, Alexandre Ribas remains committed to his resort’s safety practices.

However, the tragedy inspired him to develop a more detailed safety protocol that will be shared with both guests and staff. He’s working with two doctors to create a document outlining what to do in various emergencies, from jellyfish stings to how to handle encounters with jumping needlefish, a risk that was tragically highlighted by Manfrini’s accident.

While the incident won’t change Hidden Bay’s day-to-day operations, Ribas believes it is essential to continue prioritizing guest safety. The new protocol will add another layer of preparedness, ensuring that the resort is as ready as possible to handle emergencies in the future. This isn’t the first tragic incident to occur in the Mentawai Islands, though.

Another surfing star faces an accident on the Island chain in Indonesia

Yes, you heard that right! Another heart-wrenching incident unfolded in the Mentawai Islands last year when the legendary Hawaiian tube rider Mikala Jones tragically lost his life. Jones, who was staying at Awera Resort, suffered a devastating injury while surfing—his surfboard fin struck his femoral artery, leading to massive blood loss. The accident proved fatal, and at only 44 years of age, the surfing community lost one of its great assets.

Jones was on a trip to the Mentawai Islands off Sumatra’s western coast in July last year when the large blood vessel in his groin was cut by a surfboard fin. The femoral artery, which supplies blood to the lower limbs, left Jones with no time to do anything and the result was fatal. His father, Dr. John Jones, explained the sad story of the accident that brought his life to an end because no one could ever expect that a man who became an idol of the surfing movement could have a premature death.

Originally from Hawaii, Mikala Jones was one of those who yearned for the best waves and lived trying to find them all over the world, like the North Shore of Oahu and Canggu Beach, Bali. With a career full of stunning GoPro shots, magazine covers, and national championships from a young age, Jones had cemented his legacy as one of the best. So, as these accidents keep happening in Mentawai, the islands, and resort owners know that change has become essential for the surfer’s safety.