Beach closed after shark knocks surfer off board

A beach on the NSW Far North Coast has been closed after a surfer was knocked off their board by a shark as new details emerge of how a 12-year-old boy was fatally attacked in Sydney’s east.

The incident took place on Thursday morning at Angels Beach on Flat Rock Road at East Ballina, about 30 minutes south of Byron Bay.

A Surf Life Saving NSW spokesman said a surfer was reportedly knocked off their board by a shark but returned to shore safely.

NSW Police were called about a shark sighting about 11am but no injuries were reported.

The beach is expected to remain closed until further notice.

The latest shark incident comes ahead of a community paddle-out on Sunday for Nico Antic, who died in hospital days after being attacked by a bull shark near Nielsen Park, Vaucluse, on January 18.

He was swimming below a popular jump rock to check the water’s depth before his friends jumped in when he was attacked by the shark, according to a source close to the family.

In memory of the 12-year-old, his school, Rose Bay Secondary College, has organised the community paddle-out at North Bondi before students return to school for 2026.

“Nico was a happy, vibrant and social young person – widely known and deeply loved by a large network of friends,” the school said in a statement posted to social media.

“He brought warmth, energy and kindness to those around him and will be remembered for the joy he shared so freely.

“Nico will be deeply missed.”

The school highlighted his sporting achievements, noting he held its 12 years 800m athletics record.

In 2025, the college asked all students to choose a personal value they wished to be identified by.

Nico chose bravery.

His parents have remembered their son as a “happy, friendly and sporty young boy with the most kind and generous spirit”, while his rugby club, the Easts Junior Beasties, described him as fearless and “forever tough”.

A similar paddle-out was held at Long Reef Beach in memory of Mercury Psillakis, 57, who was killed by a shark in September.

The shark attack which killed Nico was the first in a spate of attacks in Sydney following heavy rain, which created ideal conditions for bull sharks.

Musician Andre de Ruyter, 27, remains in hospital after he was attacked on Sydney’s northern beaches on January 19.

He was surfing at Manly’s North Steyne Beach when a bull shark bit his right leg, causing severe lacerations. His lower leg was amputated.

An 11-year-old surfer was lucky to avoid injury after he was knocked off his surfboard at Dee Why earlier that day.

Paul Zvirzdinas, 39, had a bite taken out of his surfboard and wetsuit at Point Plomer Beach on the state’s Mid North Coast on January 20.

The attacks have prompted debate about shark mitigation policies.

After the spate of incidents, an extra $4.2 million was added to NSW beach safety programs, including shark tagging and monitoring and installation of listening stations in the harbour.

Drone patrols will be extended to seven days a week through to the end of the April school holidays, covering 30 more beaches in Sydney and along the NSW coast.