The possible shark teeth marks. Source: The Sunday Telegraph

Off-duty lifeguard Danny Sheather with his damaged surfboard. Source: The Sunday Telegraph

TWO Sydney beaches have been closed after a possible shark attack this afternoon.

Off-duty council lifeguard Danny Sheather, 23, believes his board was hit by a shark while riding between long reef and Dee Why on the northern beaches.

Both Dee Why and Long Reef Beach were immediately closed and "shark sighted" signs erected. Lifesavers took to the water in rubber duckies to patrol the beach.

More than an hour after Mr Sheather's encounter, a large shark was spotted in the same area of the beach by helicopter crews - and the shark refused to be herded out to sea.

"The shark was about 2.5m long and was inside the breaking waves close to shore," a Westpac helicopter spokesman said.

"It was swimming in circles between two rips right where the surfer was hit by something."

"It appeared to us to be either a great white shark or a bull shark, and certainly seemed to want to stay in the same area.

"It certainly adds legitimacy to the incident being a genuine encounter with a shark."

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Sydney beaches shut after 'shark attack'