Surfest’s Wandiyali Classic has been put on hold after the unconfirmed sighting of a shark off Merewether Beach on Thursday morning.
A board rider who was competing in the event has reported seeing something swim under him that was about 2-metres long.
All the city’s beaches except for Stockton are have been closed.
Newcastle City Council says there are large numbers of baitfish around Newcastle and Nobbys, and they are attracting the sharks.
Lifeguards on jet skis are patrolling the beaches, while the Westpac Rescue Helicopter is due to sweep the coastline later today.
Nobbys and Newcastle will be closed all day.
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