A windsurfer was rescued after friends raised the alarm.
Eastbourne Inshore Lifeboat found the man about one mile from Sovereign Harbour at about 7.10pm.
It is thought he had been in the water for up to 90 minutes.
An ambulance assessed him at the scene.
It is thought the wind had dropped and the man was unable to get back to shore.
A Dover Coastguard spokesman said: “Friends realised, even though he was a good windsurfer, that he had been gone too long.”
He added that people should ensure they tell someone their plans and what time they are due back if they are going in the water.
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