REUNION ISLAND (KRON) — A 13-year-old champion surfer was killed by a shark off the coast of Madagascar as horrified onlookers watched the gruesome attack. The morning of the attack, Elio Canestri left a note for his mother assuring her that he wouldn’t go in the water if there was danger and would only surf if there were spotters looking out for sharks.
“Don’t worry mom,” the note said at the bottom.
According to the boy’s father, Canestri had “always been very careful” in the murky waters of the Indian Ocean known for attacks.
Water sports on the beach of Reunion–where the attack occurred– are banned unless it’s in select areas with heavy supervision by life-guards due to the threat of sharks.
The promising young surfer was killed Sunday while surfing with a group of friends.