A champion windsurfer who chased his dreams was remembered at a tearful seaside memorial service.

More than 300 people gathered in the sunshine on Seaford beach around the striking white coffin of Andy Funnell, 21, from Seaford, who drowned after a jet-skiing accident.

As waves lapped the shore, Andy's friend Jim Oxborrow performed Green Day's Time Of Your Life on guitar before a series of tributes were read.

Andy's passion for windsurfing had led him around the world and earned him sponsorship with sports manufacturer Animal. The talent he honed in exotic locations like Hawaii and Cape Town won him the UK Windsurfing Association's indoor jump contest at the London Boat Show in January.

His success had many rating him as Britain's brightest young windsurfing prospect.

On a web site dedicated to Andy, family members had asked mourners not to wear black at yesterday's service because "we wish to remember and celebrate the joy of Andy's life and not the sadness of his death".

Standing before two of Andy's favourite windsurfing rigs, friend Rick Hills said: "Andy had the gift of making anything or anyone better.

"He was a blessing to everyone.

"We have all got so many brilliant memories of Andy. He worked hard and played even harder and I loved him for it. He's an absolute legend."

A statement read on behalf of Will Lucas and Tim Morrish said: "He made an impact on all of us.

"The memory I will always keep closest is his amazing attitude towards living - always partying, always chasing his dreams, never a dull moment.

"His parents Trevor and Linda and sister Kara deserve so much respect for helping him live his dreams and to become the person we love and remember.

"He was a credit to himself, his family and friends. My world will be so much sadder without him."

Andy, who had a karate black belt, was just starting to reap the rewards of his dedication to windsurfing and had featured on the cover of two magazines.

His fellow windsurfer Timo Mullen told of the fun-loving partygoer's antics and recalled some of the spectacular stunts Andy carried out at sea.

He said: "I think of you every day. For some reason you're with me even more now. I've done nothing but remember the good times."

Andy's father read out John Masefield's poem Sea-Fever and told the crowd: "Andy probably never heard of Sea-Fever in his short life but it sums up all the feelings he had for windsurfing, the ocean and life itself.

"In the past, I have often said 'A positive from every negative'. Maybe there will be more positives in the future but at the moment I can see only one and that is you, all his wonderful friends here today.

"He was such a very, very special person. The fact he touched so many hearts is a huge comfort."

The coffin, decorated with flowers and pictures of Andy, was taken to Eastbourne Crematorium while U2's One was played.

More than 400 messages of condolence from countries including Italy, Croatia, Russia, Belgium, the United States and Australia have been posted to www.andyfunnell.com Andy's body was washed up at Bulverhythe, near Bexhill, after he went missing on June 15 while jet-skiing off Seaford. A large-scale search by coastguards, lifeboats and police proved fruitless.

He was riding a jet ski in calm conditions when he tumbled off, possibly hitting his head.