In reply to tlm:
I was watching the seas at exactly this spot a couple of months ago, taking photos of surfers whipping a long a yard off the sea wall. Years ago when living in Rye I eyed up this bit of cliff for climbing, it went no further though as the rock is both vertical and very soft sandstone. Between bands of rock their are softer bands of grey clay. Some people have climbed here but it is most definitely an acquired taste. Someone did a very long traverse, several miles, IIRC.
On the subject of filming the event, if it had happened when I was there it would have been a simple matter to switch from still shots to film mode... The whole bit of coast from Hastings to Pett Level is quite wild, worth a visit for someone based in London. It's called Firehills because of the splendid scenery when the gorse is in flower.