Shark 'nudges surfer off board' near where bodyboarder was mauled yesterday

A Ballina area surfer has had a close encounter with a shark a day after a bodyboarder was mauled by a shark in the same area.

It is believed the surfer was nudged off his board by the predator, which then bit at the board in waters off Lennox Head in northern NSW.

However, the surfer has fortunately not required treatment.

A junior surfing competition in the area had earlier been given the go-ahead after a helicopter patrol found no sign of any sharks earlier this morning.

Authorities are now debating whether or not to allow the competition to proceed.

Matt Lee, 32, was yesterday attacked by a shark at nearby Lighthouse beach in Ballina.

He remains in Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition after his legs were badly injured in the attack at 10am.

A kill order has been issued for the four-metre shark it is believed carried out the attack.

However, it is not known if the same shark is responsible for this morning’s attack, or if the surfer involved was part of the competition.

This is a breaking news story. More information will be added as it comes to hand.