A WORLD champion in an extreme sport has paid a flying visit to his family home in Milford on Sea - almost literally.

Mark Shinn, the current world champion in kite surfing, swooped in from Dusseldorf to say hello to his parents, Di and Mike, bringing with him his Belgian girlfriend, Florence Ducate.

Kite surfing, which has evolved from windsurfing and is its airborne equivalent, has only been around since 1999, but already its popularity and potential are capturing the public imagination.

"A few big windsurfing companies saw it as a potential sport and decided to manufacture specialist equipment," said Mark, 30. "It's very exciting - not dangerous if you take proper lessons, learn the rules and take safety precautions.

"The kites are designed to generate a huge amount of power. You can jump fifteen metres in the air purely with the power of the kite - it's not a trick."

Mark became world champion in the sport last year. The tour has extended to France, Belgium, Brazil, New Caledonia, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and other locations.

Mark's whistle-stop visit to Milford on Sea was a brief opportunity to touch base with his roots and relax for a few hours.

He attended the local church primary school, then Arnewood School in New Milton, before gaining a music scholarship to King Edward VI School in Southampton.

Mark's agility and grace in the air has probably got much to do with gymnastic skills acquired in his youth.

His parents ran Lymington Gymnastics Club for many years.