Craig Gibson from Bribie Island had just finished riding a wave when the shark, believed to be a bull shark, struck about 4.30pm.

Witness Jim Reardon from Gosford said Mr Gibson was one of about 10 learner surfers, mostly foreigners, in the water at the time.

“It was overcast and dark but the small surf conditions were good for learner surfers,” Mr Reardon said.

“He had just finished the wave and was about to paddle back out when the shark bit him on his left calf.

“He punched it in the head three times but it didn’t let go so he wrestled with it. The shark had a head the size of a basketball.”

Mr Reardon was about to enter the water with his son Kurt just before the attack happened.

“I was just about to take my son Kurt out for his first surf ever,” Mr Reardon said.

“Blood was pouring down (Mr Reardon’s) leg from his calf to his ankle and he had jagged cuts.”

A qualified paramedic at the camping ground administered first aid and Mr Gibson was able to walk away with no major injuries.

“There are a lot of sea mullet around and (commercial fisherman) were doing a big haul in the middle of the bay at the same time about 2km away,” Mr Reardon said.

“It was most likely a bull shark chasing the mullet.

“The group was going back into a pub to celebrate the survival of the shark attack.”

The last reported shark attack in the Macleay was in June, 2007.

Young body-boarder Jack Moir had his lower right leg savaged by what was believed to be a bronze whaler or bull shark.

Jack and four friends were catching waves at Shelley Beach when the shark attacked.

The youth was reportedly bitten twice, once on the heel and then on the calf in thigh-deep water, before his mates dragged him from the surf and administered first aid.

He needed 100 stitches and several hours of surgery.