Tributes are paid to surfer Arran Strong, after searches for the Brit who went missing off the coast of Portugal were called off.

Arran Strong, pictured here competing at a surfing event in Spain in 2020, went missing in the sea off the Portuguese coast on Monday Tributes have been paid to surfer Arran Strong, after searches for the Briton who went missing off the coast of Portugal were called off. The Autoridade Maritima Nacional (AMN) confirmed to BBC Sport that its search for the 28-year-old, which started soon after he went missing on Monday morning, was halted on Thursday. Strong, who lived in Portugal, had competed in the World Surf League for 10 years and represented Great Britain at each of the previous two World Surfing Games - finishing as the highest ranked British representative on both occasions. "Beyond his performances in the water, Arran was a fantastic team-mate, respected competitor and a kind, generous presence whose passion for surfing left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him," GB Surfing said in a statement on Instagram, external on Tuesday. "His passing is a devastating loss to our sport and the wider surfing community, and he will be greatly missed. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Arran's family, friends, team-mates and all those whose lives he touched." The AMN said it was alerted to Strong getting into difficulties in the water off the Atlantic coast in southern Portugal at 11.33 BST on Monday.