Aussie surf champion bashed

World surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore has had her wrist broken by a man who bashed her with a pole at her building on the NSW north coast.

Police have not officially confirmed her identity, but it's understood Gilmore is the 22-year-old woman they say was attacked by a man wielding a metal pole as she was walking to a set of stairs leading to her unit in Tweed Heads at 9.30pm on Monday.

The man struck her twice with the pole before fleeing on a pushbike.

Gilmore suffered a fractured wrist, a cut to the back of her head and cuts to her hand.

She was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital for treatment.

Police allege that some time later the alleged attacker returned to the unit complex where he was seen by friends and neighbours of Gilmore.

A 26-year-old man was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads police station where he was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He appeared in Tweed Heads Local Court on Tuesday and was refused bail.

Less than a fortnight ago Gilmore won an historic third straight triple surfing crown in Hawaii.

- AAP