ABOUT 30 grommets were pulled out of the surf near Byron Bay yesterday just moments before a man surfing nearby was hit by lightning, critically injuring him.

The 34-year-old man who was struck was last night fighting for his life in The Tweed Hospital with his girlfriend by his side.

Police had not released his name.

Byron Bay Boardriders club’s vice president Neil Cameron said it was decided to call off the junior competition when organisers saw the menacing storm clouds moving in on the beach.

The rain was so heavy visibility was reduced to virtually zero and they could not see the young competitors, aged 10 to 16, in the ocean.

“We were about 100m down the beach from where the strike happened,” he said.

Paramedics were called to Suffolk Park, just south of Byron Bay, about 10.30am (AEDT) where the man had been surfing with a friend.

When they arrived, the man’s friend and another man were performing CPR on him.

Suffolk Park local Kyle Brownie said he was on his way to the beach when he heard the loud thunder.

“I went to the beach with three friends for a surf,” he said.

“But when we got down there, there were three boards just floating near the shore.

“Then we saw the guys doing CPR on the guy and realised that he had been hit by lightning.

“There weren’t many people on the beach by then.

“We decided not to go in the water after what happened.”

Local surfer Ian Daniels said he had just arrived home from the beach when he heard a big bolt strike close by.

“I had my hand on the shower and I felt a zap go through my arm,” he said.

“My friend was also in Suffolk and had his foot in a puddle and he also felt a zap.

“It hurt more than the zap from a cattle fence.”

While the lightning strike did not stop some surfers from hitting the water in the afternoon, other locals were clearly shocked and remained clear of the water.

“It’s crazy,” said James Hagger who lives and regularly surfs at Suffolk Park.

“I never thought you could actually get hit by lightning – it never usually crosses my mind.

“I’ll think twice next time I go for a surf in a storm.”