A former boxer who escaped from the jaws of a great white shark during his morning surf in northern NSW has thanked the mates who saved his life by helping him ashore and administering first aid on the beach.
Evans Head local Craig Ison, repeatedly punched the shark, in what's been described as a "Mick Fanning replay" on Friday after his friend Geoff Hill spotted the three-metre predator and yelled for everyone to get out of the water.
As Mr Ison paddled back to shore the 52-year-old was pursued by the shark, which knocked him off his board and bit him on the leg and arm.
"We are eternally grateful to Geoff Hill, Rick Forsyth and Dawso for delivering vital first aid to Craig on the beach and ultimately saving his life," Mr Ison's sister Janelle Worth said in a statement on Monday.
"We are also indebted to others who came to his assistance and the many people who have cared for him since the attack."
Mr Ison's daughter Maddy Ison, told the AAP on Monday her father's hand was badly mauled during the attack.
The surfer underwent surgery for injuries to his left leg and arm at Lismore Base Hospital before being transferred to Gold Coast Hospital.
On Friday police praised passers-by who applied a tourniquet to Mr Ison's injured leg using leg-ropes from surf boards.
"Those people are to be praised for their quick thinking ... looked like they've saved this man's life," Detective Inspector Cameron Lindsay told reporters in Ballina.
Mr Ison remains in a stable condition at Gold Coast Hospital and his family has asked for privacy.
Beaches in the state's north all reopened on Monday at 10am after several shark sightings at the weekend.
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