Jack Coaldrake remembered after Hawkesbury River water skiing tragedy

A champion water skier has been remembered as a passionate person, who “lit up a room”, as tributes flow following his tragic death during a training session on a major NSW river.

Wilberforce man Jack Coaldrake, 25, died on Sunday, October 6, after a water skiing incident on the Hawkesbury River at Lower Portland. Picture: Facebook

Tributes are flowing for a young champion water skier after he died in a tragic incident on the Hawkesbury River.

Jack Coaldrake, from Wilberforce, a small town north-west of Sydney, died early on Sunday after a water skiing incident on the Hawkesbury River at Lower Portland.

Emergency services were called to a boat ramp on the river just before 7.30am following reports Mr Coaldrake had hit the water at high speed while being pulled by a boat.

He was brought ashore and treated by paramedics, but tragically died at the scene.

It is understood paramedics believe he had a medical episode while on the water.

Jack Coaldrake on the water. Picture: Facebook

The celebrated skier had a number of titles to his name, including being the 2023 winner of the prestigious Barry Carne Memorial race.

He also placing third in the men’s open world water ski racing competition last November.

Long-time friend and business partner Mitchell Williams said Mr Coaldrake was training for an upcoming competition in New Zealand when the tragedy struck.

He said Mr Coaldrake had been the best man at his best friend’s wedding only days beforehand, and shortly before that, had flown to Malta to meet his partner’s family for the first time.

Mr Williams said his late friend had many passions outside of water skiing, including party shirts, his dog Flossy, his friends, his family and his partner, and he also loved to dance like nobody was watching.

He described Mr Coaldrake as “well-respected”, passionate about the use of safety gear on the water, and a business-minded individual who took great pride in working at the family business, Coldy’s Towbars and Bullbars.

Jack Coaldrake had a number of water skiing titles to his name. Picture: Facebook

The two friends, along with a third, earlier this year started a podcast called 100MPH, which quickly transformed into a media and advertising tool for powerboat and water ski racing.

“Jack’s role was all about the history … he had stats, times and different points that no one else could think of,” Mr Williams said.

“He’s also done a lot of development internationally with MoTeC and Mercury (Marine) and different stuff like that … he had a very special role in making it all happen.

“His way of thinking was so motivating … he changed the way that I think about everything.”

Victorian man Simon Isherwood, whose business Race Marine worked with Mr Coaldrake’s water ski racing team, Temper, said he first met the 25-year-old around five years ago, but knew of him and his family long before that.

He said it would be difficult to find anyone who didn’t have something nice to say about Mr Coaldrake.

Mr Isherwood also described Mr Coaldrake as a “real character” who was “a really smart business guy” and “passionate as”.

“He was always wanting to be at the forefront of everything, he was really keen to develop stuff and do new stuff,” Mr Isherwood said.

Jack Coaldrake has been remembered as a “passionate” person. Picture: Facebook

“He had a super active mind … he was good fun to be around too.”

He described Mr Coaldrake as “one of a kind” person who “lit up a room” and was also very generous with his time, always making sure to speak with young kids.

Mr Isherwood said he spent a lot of time talking on the phone with Mr Coaldrake, who would often ask lots of questions.

“I think I’ll miss those the most,” he said.

Mr Coaldrake’s family has been contacted for further comment.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said investigations into the Mr Coaldrake’s death were ongoing.