The 48-year-old was at the centre of a massive rescue operation off Hayling Island.

The man was stranded a mile from the coast for two hours and suffering severe hypothermia.

He had gone out to sea near the Beachlands car park in fading light.

But his kitesurfing gear broke, leaving him clinging to his small board and kite in cold water.

The man desperately tried to swim back to shore, but strong winds blowing from the land pushed him farther and farther out to sea.

He was saved by pure chance after a member of the public was walking on the beach and found a pile of clothes.

A call was made to Solent Coastguard and rescuers from Hayling Coastguard, together with two lifeboats, went out to sea at about 7.15pm on Wednesday to search for the man.

He was found barely conscious and exhausted, clinging on to his board.

His hypothermia was so bad that he had gone past the point of shivering as his body started to shut down.

Now, coastguards are warning other thrill-seekers to make sure they let people know where they are.

Carol Carter, from Hayling RNLI, said: 'The first thing he said when we got there was "How did you know I was here?"

'He was just amazed we got there. It was as if he had almost given up hope of being rescued.'

The man, who is believed to live on Hayling Island, was immediately wrapped in blankets and taken to the lifeboat station for treatment before being taken by ambulance to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham. He is now recovering at home.

Chris Bull, chairman of Hayling Island Kitesurfing Association, said: 'We are drumming it into people not to go out in these offshore wind conditions. When the wind is blowing from the land to the sea, you are going to get blown all the way to France.

'It's a recipe for disaster and people should know better.

'If you are going to compete in a sport like kitesurfing, you should always let people know and tell them where you are going to be.'