Tributes have poured in for a respected and ‘happy-go-lucky’ watersports champion who tragically died during 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 attended a boat ramp in Lower Portland at around 7.30am after reports that Mr Coaldrake had hit the water at high speed while being towed by a boat.
He was rushed to shore but could not be revived despite the efforts of paramedics to save him.
Paramedics believe he suffered a medical episode while in the water.
The young water skier has already won a number of impressive titles, including the prestigious Barry Carne Memorial Cup in 2023.
Last November he also finished third in the men’s open world water ski titles.
Mr Coaldrake’s girlfriend of two years, Samara Ross, remembered him as “the love of (her) life” on her Facebook page on Monday.
Jack Coaldrake, 25, was a valued member of the global water skiing community. He tragically died in a training accident on Sunday
His girlfriend Samara Ross remembered Mr Coaldrake as the love of her life and had only recently traveled to introduce him to her family in Malta
Vintage & Veteran Power Club official Ian ‘Macca’ McCorkell left a heartfelt tribute to the former member.
“I write this wondering why our club lost a highly valued member, Jack Coaldrake, yesterday,” he began.
‘[One would be] hard to find a more polite, cheerful, hardworking, dedicated young man.
‘Everything he felt like doing, he did with 100 percent dedication.
‘To (the family), what we as a club say to you all: take care of each other, please don’t be ashamed to ask for help, no matter how big or small.
“Like I said, I’m at a loss for words, so I’ll leave it at that. RIP Jack. You will be missed by so many, love you mate,” he said.
Waterski Racing Europe said the organization had sadly received the news of Mr Coaldrake’s death.
“Jack was a highly valued member of the waterskiing community, a dedicated mentor and a passionate ambassador for the sport,” they wrote online.
“He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all he knew.”
A long-time friend and business partner said Mr Coaldrake was training for a competition in New Zealand before the incident.
Mitchell Williams revealed that just days ago Mr Coaldrake had been best man at his best friend’s wedding, and had recently returned from Malta to meet his partner’s family.
Mr. Coaldrake backed his athletic talent with a keen business and ethical mind as a respected representative of world water ski racing
He told the Daily Telegraph Mr Coaldrake was ‘highly respected’ and loved his dog, friends, family and girlfriend most of all.
“Jack’s role was all about history…he had stats, times and different points that no one else could come up with,” Williams said.
“His way of thinking was so motivating…he changed the way I think about everything.”
Mr Coaldrake was a committed athlete, but also helped businesses and the sport itself through his ambassadorship and promotion of the use of safety equipment on the water.
He was also proud to work with the family business Coldy’s Towbars and Bullbars.
He also started his own podcast earlier this year called 100MPH to share his passion and expertise for the sport with the world.
The police investigation into Mr Coaldrake’s death is ongoing.