SYDNEY >> Australian officials say a surfer managed to paddle to shore after a shark sank its teeth into the man’s arm.

The New South Wales state Ambulance Service says the 28-year-old man was bitten Tuesday night while surfing off North Avoca, about 55 miles north of Sydney.

The ambulance service says the shark, which witnesses said was about 6 feet long, grabbed the man’s arm and pulled it under the surfboard, leaving a 2-inch gash. The surfer paddled to shore where paramedics treated him. He was taken to a hospital and was in satisfactory condition.