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We catch up with a hardy crew of sailors, who normally congregate at Wittering's when the conditions are firing and discover why their common passion for windsurfing is the driving force that keeps their friendships alive.

-  Chris Audsley, Mark Perry, Paul Hunt, Alan Grant, Rich Audsley, Daniel Macaulay & Simon Bassett

MARK PERRY

"I run my own property buying agency business helping people purchase homes in the Wittering's and Chichester area. As I live in Bracklesham full-time it only takes about fifteen minutes to get on the water, so I can grab an hour here or there pretty easily between work commitments.

We all keep in touch through our WhatsApp group, which consists of a handful of local friends that are typically always keen. It is an easy way to connect with the boys and it is more likely to get the crew out on the water that way. There is always plenty of banter in the group, which makes it fun.

Windsurfing is definitely a strong connector. We all live locally and have windsurfed for years. It's a difficult sport, and I think because of that, you respect anyone giving it a go and this forms a bond. The people I see the most of locally are windsurfing pals and their families.

I am lucky enough to live here at the Wittering's full-time; that proximity makes committing to windsurfing a lot easier. Also, as a sailing location, the Wittering's picks up wind swell quickly and is therefore fun for jumping and riding on most days.