No joke: Dave Hughes dislocates shoulder in nasty New Year's Eve accident

Hughes said he was surfing on Surfers Paradise Beach when he fell and a wave "slammed" the board into him from behind giving him "nine out of ten level nerve damage".

It was the "worst luck possible", he said in a post to Instagram on January 1.

"Happy NY," he said.

"Had my least sober NYE in 30+ years. Green whistle came after two hours of worst pain of my life, plus morphine and the rest of them.

"Shout out to wife, [Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club] and [Gold Coast] medical professionals for their much needed help!

"Will be in a sling for a while, not sure when my next right-handed high five will be."

Friends and fans wished him well but some couldn't resist the urge for a jab.

Television presenter Osher Gunsberg said "If you need surgery (and I hope you don't) I could narrate it for you with my [Bondi Rescue] voice if you like?"

Comedian Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann said he was "sniffing at least 10 minutes of new gear" and asked "is there footage of you falling off the board?"