An Indigenous surfer from Coffs Harbour on the mid north coast of New South Wales is suing a Queensland magazine for defamation.

Journalist Nathan Meyers interviewed the 26-year-old rising surf star Otis Carey for the March edition of the Gold Coast-based Surfing Life magazine.

In the article he referred to Carey's "apish" features and wrote he was surprised the surfer was so articulate.

Cary said he and his extended family have been deeply offended by the article.

He has confirmed lawyers acting for him are now seeking $200,000 in damages from the publishers of Surfing Life claiming defamation, racial vilification and emotional hurt.

It is understood the publisher Morrison Media is covered by defamation insurance.

There has been an outpouring of support for Otis Carey on social media sites like Facebook.