NSW shark victim awake and in ‘good spirits’ 10 days after attack

Ten days after NSW bodyboarder Mathew Lee suffered extensive injuries during a shark attack on the NSW north coast, the 32-year-old has woken up in hospital.

Mr Lee was bitten while in the water at Ballina on July 2 and suffered serious injuries to both legs and sustained significant blood loss.

The 32-year-old was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition but has since regained consciousness.

"Mat is awake and he's in good spirits," a post to the Mathew Lee support page on Facebook states.

"He wanted to let everyone know how grateful he is for the many well wishes and love sent to him.

"The road to recovery is going to be a long one and he has asked for all to keep sending love and positive thoughts."

His girlfriend Suzy Gerada posted a photo of herself and Mr Lee smiling, lying in a hospital bed, to the Facebook group, entitled “hospital snuggles”.

Ms Gerada was at the beach when the attack occurred.

The day after Mr Lee's attack another surfer was knocked from his board by a shark in nearby Lennox Head.

The encounters prompted the closure of beaches in the Ballina Shire for 24 hours.

A six-day international junior surf contest at Lennox Head was suspended for one day before going ahead, with the support of aerial and water patrols.