Missing man is leading windsurfer

Andy Funnell has competed in windsurfing events around the world

A 21-year-old jet-skier presumed dead after going missing off the East Sussex coast is a champion windsurfer, it has been revealed.

Andy Funnell, from Seaford, is thought to have fallen from his jet-ski off the town's beach about 1945 BST on Tuesday.

The search was abandoned after his jet-ski was found on a beach on Wednesday.

Mr Funnell had competed in windsurfing championships all over the world and friends said it was surprising he had not been able to keep afloat.

He was probably one of the best examples of windsurfing talent that we had Fellow windsurfer David White

The alarm was raised when a friend he was with called emergency services to say Mr Funnell had not resurfaced after falling from the machine.

Lifeboat and coastguard teams searched for him and a helicopter was used to scour the area, but the rescue was called off when the jet-ski was found on Wednesday morning.

Police underwater search teams are expected to visit the area were Mr Funnell fell at about 0800 BST on Thursday.

David White, 42, who is a member of the same windsurfing team as Mr Funnell, described him as one of the UK's best talents in the sport.

There are plans to hold a vigil on Seaford beach

Mr White said: "He had been doing so well, not only nationally but also internationally.

"He was probably one of the best examples of windsurfing talent that we had."

He said Mr Funnell's ability made it seem strange that he had apparently just fallen from the jet-ski and not stayed above the waves.

"It is so bizarre, this was a bloke that was used to windsurfing in 30ft waves," Mr White said.

He said Mr Funnell had been windsurfing since the age of nine, having been introduced to the sport by his father.

He also said his friend had been in Spain last week competing in a competition for their team Whiteboarders, and had won an indoor windsurfing contest held at a boat show in London earlier this year.

Friends from the windsurfing community are due to come to Seaford on Thursday to hold a vigil on the beach.