he tried to make it back to shore, Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Glen Folkard, 44, known as "Lenny", is in a stable and lucid condition in John Hunter Hospital today after being attacked while surfing off Redhead Beach, south of Newcastle, yesterday afternoon.
More than 100 people were in the water when the shark attacked. Witnesses in the surf said Mr Folkard was lying on his board about 20 metres from a large group of surfers when the shark struck about 4.40pm.
Believed to be a bull shark, it took a large chunk out of Mr Folkard's thigh as well as his board before dragging him underwater, witnesses said.
He was able to shake himself free and get to the surface. Several surfers came to his aid as he tried to paddle to safety and helped him catch a wave into shore.
Surf lifesavers, with a doctor and paramedic on the beach, administered first aid before paramedics arrived and took the victim to the John Hunter Hospital.
Mr Folkard, who owns the Downunder tattoo parlour in Charlestown, is in a serious but stable condition with a deep wound to an upper thigh.
Lifeguards evacuated more than 100 surfers and swimmers from the water and said they were closing the beach indefinitely.
