Living on an island means we're never too far from a coastline, and accompanying any coastal region is the inherent allure of the sea.

Away from the popular traditional breaks in Cornwall, separate again from Devon's hidden coves, the south coast of the UK, although not widely regarded as a particular highlight of British surfing, has a dedicated, tight-knit community.

Even in the darkness of a 6:00am February morning, as the icy rain cuts mercilessly through the air, the committed few can be found pulling on their black neoprene in preparation of indulging those solitary moments of meditative, isolated escapism.