Tributes have flooded in for a highly respected and “happy-go-lucky” watersports champion who tragically died in a high-speed practice session.
Jack Coaldrake, 25, from Wilberforce in Sydney’s northwest, died during a water skiing incident on the Hawkesbury River on Sunday.
Emergency services were called to a boat ramp in Lower Portland around 7.30am after it was reported that Coaldrake had fallen into the water at high speed while being towed by a boat.
He was rushed to shore but could not be revived, despite paramedics’ best efforts to save him.
Paramedics reportedly believe he suffered a medical episode while in the water.
The young water skier had already won several impressive titles, including the prestigious Barry Carne Memorial Cup in 2023.
He also placed third at the men’s world open water ski titles last November.
Samara Ross, Coaldrake’s girlfriend of two years, remembered him Monday as “the love of (her) life” on her Facebook page.
Jack Coaldrake, 25, was an esteemed member of the global water skiing community and tragically passed away in a training accident on Sunday.
His girlfriend Samara Ross remembered Mr Coaldrake as the love of her life and had recently traveled to introduce him to her family in Malta.
Vintage & Veteran Power Club officer Ian ‘Macca’ McCorkell left a heartfelt tribute to the former member.
“I am writing this wondering why yesterday our club lost a very valuable member, Jack Coaldrake,” he began.
‘(It would be) difficult to find a more educated, carefree, hard-working and dedicated young man.
‘Everything he set his mind to he did with 100 percent effort.
‘To (the family), what we as a club say to all of you, look after each other, please don’t be ashamed to ask for help, no matter how big or small.
‘As I say, I’m at a loss for words, so I’ll leave it at that. RIP Jack. “Many will miss you, I love you mate,” he said.
Waterski Racing Europe said the organization had received the news of Mr Coaldrake’s death with sadness.
“Jack was a deeply valued member of the water skiing community, a dedicated mentor and passionate ambassador for the sport,” they wrote online.
“He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone he knew.”
An old friend and business partner said Coaldrake was training for a competition in New Zealand before the incident.
Mitchell Williams revealed that Coaldrake had just a few days ago been the best man at his best friend’s wedding and had returned from Malta to join his partner’s family shortly before.
Mr. Coaldrake backed his athletic talents with an enthusiastic ethical and business mind as a respected representative of global water ski racing.
he told the Daily Telegraph Mr Coaldrake was “well respected” and loved his dog, his friends, his family and his girlfriend most.
“Jack’s role was all about history… he had different stats, times and points that no one else could think of,” Mr. Williams said.
“His way of thinking was so motivating…it changed the way I thought about everything.”
Coaldrake was a committed athlete, but he also helped businesses and the sport itself through his ambassadorship and promotion of the use of safety equipment in the water.
He also took pride in working with the family business, Coldy’s Towbars and Bullbars.
He also started his own podcast called 100MPH earlier this year to share his passion and experience for the sport with the world.
Police investigations into Mr Coaldrake’s death are ongoing.