Champion surfer and mate Matt Hoy rescued Johns on Tuesday when they were part of a large crowd taking advantage of the big swell.

Lifeguard Chad Bower said Hoy called him to the sand.

‘‘[Johns] had some claret [blood] coming from his ear,’’ Mr Bower said. ‘‘We offered to get him an ambulance, but he said he’d see his own doctor.’’

Johns told a Sunday newspaper he wasn’t sure what happened, but he was knocked unconscious and suffered a burst eardrum.

Johns provided his sideline insights for Channel Nine’s coverage of the Newcastle Knights-Sydney Roosters game yesterday.

His manager confirmed Johns was fine.