Is this Britain’s most unconventional commute?

While the rest of the UK’s workers tap their thumbs on the steering wheel or stare glassed-eyed out the windows of a bus, sportsman Paul Hopkins pulls on a wetsuit and windsurfs to work.

He even avoids the traffic – bar the odd porpoise or seal.

Mr Hopkins, of Hove, said: “I sail from Hove Lagoon to Brighton Marina, a distance of about 6km.

“I can go faster than the traffic, especially when it is windy.

“I have a little rucksack which I bring my work clothes in and I try not to fall in – although I have been known to.

“I work as a yacht instructor so I normally wear shorts and a Tshirt, but I still need a change of clothes. I don’t want to wear wet clothes all day.

“I love windsurfing and try to do it as much as possible including on my days off.

“I’m training for the world championships in the Czech Republic so wind-surfing to work is just extra practice.”

The 31-year-old said his colleagues were used to seeing him arrive at work by unconventional means, but admitted his girlfriend, 28-year-old Juliette Seaton, thought it was “a bit strange”.

“She is more into tennis”, he said.

“On days when it is sunny it is great – but I don’t enjoy it so much when it is raining.

“Either way I definitely prefer windsurfing to the bus or car.

“The price of the kit is not cheap, but obviously the wind is free.”