WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT A man has been attacked by a shark while surfing at a beach on the NSW north coast.

Abe McGrath reportedly drove himself to hospital with a gash to his right thigh and says he believes it was a great white shark that attacked him while he was surfing Illuka Main Beach on Sunday morning.

Mr McGrath's friend, Byron Bay surfer Bryce Cameron, shared a photo of a broken surfboard on his Instagram account at about 8am.

“Life could of been very different this morning,” Mr Cameron posted.







"Our arrival to Iluka this morning, (Abe McGrath) hit by a juvenile white pointer.

"So stoked to see him able to limp up the beach."

Mooloolaba woman Amber Hopkins revealed the extent of the man's wounds, sharing images to Facebook.

View photos The 35-year-old was reportedly tossed 10 metres into the air by the shark. Source: 7 News More

View photos His board was snapped in half. Source: 7 News More

"Wow!! This guy has some luck... 6am this morning - Iluka he was attacked by a 3 metre great white shark! He could have lost his life!," Ms Hopkins said.

"The great white was coming that fast at him... hit him so hard only the sharks front teeth were able to brush him because the force flew him in the air 10m then shark went back and bit the board in half."

New South Wales Department of Primary Industries confirmed the attack.