INVESTIGATIONS are under way to establish the identity of a surfer who was found dead in Kimmeridge Bay.

A Portland+Coastguard+">Portland Coastguard spokesman said a passer-by spotted the man’s body floating in the water on Thursday.

He was still attached to his surfboard by the surfing safety leash.

A camper van found in a nearby car park was recovered by Police, who are trying to establish the identity of its owner.

The spokesman said it is thought the surfer may have been in the water since Wednesday because there was “no surf” on Thursday.

A Coastguard helicopter was sent to the scene at around 2.30pm and the surfer was then declared dead by the crew. His body was recovered and taken to the mortuary at Poole Hospital.

The Bournemouth coroner has been informed and enquiries are being made to identify the man.

Dorset Police said the death appeared accidental and there are no suspicious circumstances.

The Coastguard spokesman said: “As far as I know, nothing like this has ever happened here before.

“But then the surfers are effectively surfing on the rocks and anything like that is dangerous. There are always going to be risks.”

The spokesman added they were unsure as to how the surfer got into trouble but he may have been surfing Broad Bench, a special wave found on the outer boundary of the firing range in Kimmeridge, which is much more difficult.

Jon Moore, 39, who has surfed at Kimmeridge for more than 20 years, said the bay is no more dangerous than any other reef.

“There are dangers associated with surfing in Kimmeridge as there are with any surfing reef,” he said.

“People come from all over the world to surf at Kimmeridge and under the right conditions the swell comes from great depths and hits the reef, creating very powerful waves.”