High-profile Australian snowboarder Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin drowns on Gold Coast
Tributes are pouring in from across the globe for high-profile Australian Olympic snowboarder Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin after his shock death today. The 32-year-old drowned while spear fishing off the Gold Coast despite the desperate efforts of surfers and lifeguards.
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The Australian sporting world has been rocked by the shock death of high-profile Olympian Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin who drowned off the Gold Coast today.
The two-time world snowboard champion, aged 32, was spear fishing off 19th Ave at Palm Beach when the tragedy happened this morning.
‘Free spirit’ who carved a legacy on and off the slopes
LIFE IN PICTURES: RIP Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin
He is believed to have suffered a shallow water blackout just after 10.30am.
Tributes are pouring in for the talented snowboarder who became the first Australian snowboard cross rider to capture a World Championship and World Cup title in one year.
Pullin was the flag bearer for the Australian team at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Australian Olympic team media officer Damian Kelly said: “I marched behind Chumpy Pullin as flagbearer at the Sochi Winter Olympics and then worked closely with him every day as Media Liasion Officer during those Games.”
“Just numb at this news.”
Australian sporting great Wendell Sailor remembered Pullin as a kind-hearted person.
“I can’t believe this terrible news - one of the nicest humans I’ve ever met - very sad news,” Sailor wrote.
“Condolences to the friends and family of Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin. What a tragedy, way to (sic) young. 2020 can you please be over.”
Other social media posts paid tribute to a ‘bona fide champion athlete and champion human’, a ‘naturally gifted snowboarder’, ‘incredible sportsperson’ and ‘charming, intelligent, humble and immensely talented man’.
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It is understood an on-duty lifeguard was on the scene and that surfers were involved in carrying him from Palm Beach reef.
Another spear fisherman spotted Pullin unresponsive on the ocean floor and alerted a surfer.
The surfer paddled to shore and raised the alarm with lifeguards on a jet ski who brought him to the beach where they and paramedics performed CPR on him for about 45 minutes.
Pullin was an experienced free diver who was spear fishing alone.
“Lifeguards provided CPR to the man until the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) arrived and took over,” at City of Gold Coast spokeswoman said.
Off duty volunteer lifeguards who were on the beach also rushed to Pullin’s aid.
“They assisted the Gold Coast City Council lifeguard service in performing CPR... until paramedics arrived,” a Surf Lifesaving Queensland spokeswoman said.
“The volunteer lifesavers involved have been offered peer support counselling, and this support will continue for as long as needed.”
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends.”
Pullin is a spear fishing and diving enthusiast and is also a keen musician and surfer.
Only two weeks ago, he posted an Instagram photo of himself spear fishing off the Gold Coast.
“Unreal day in the ocean, whales singing & breaching around us,” he posted.
“Hanging with great people plus bringing plenty of fish for the week.”
Pullin, 32, hailed from the town of Mansfield, in the foothills of Victoria’s alps.
In 2011, he became the first Australian snowboard cross rider to capture a World Championship and the World Cup title in the one year.
His website biography says he learnt to ski with his family at the age of three.
His parents, who owned and ran a ski/snowboard shop in Mansfield, encouraged him to pursue snowboarding at the age of eight.
Soon after, Pullin became a familiar face around the alps and could frequently be sighted riding around his local resort of Mt Buller.
It’s the second spear fishing tragedy in southeast Queensland in five days, after Sunshine Coast man Matthew Tratt was fatally mauled by a shark while spearing off Fraser Island on Saturday.
RIP Chumpy Pullin. One of the most naturally gifted snowboarders Australia has ever seen. He was a two-time world champ but it was only ever about Chumpy getting out there and enjoying the mountains. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and many friends ðŸ™
— Arthur Stanley (@Art_Stanley_) July 8, 2020
Met chumpy at a red bull event. Just a great bloke from a great part of the country. Awful.
— Töm RéÿnöldÅ¡ ⌠(@TomReynolds_AU) July 8, 2020
Vale Chumpy. You were a bonafide champion athlete and a champion human. My thoughts are with all those that knew and loved you. #AlexPullin #AlexChumpyPullin #Australiansnowboarding
— Jules 🌈💕 (@ozijules) July 8, 2020
Shocking news... R.I.P. Chumpy. Best wishes to family and friends.
— David Ross (@DaveRoss61) July 8, 2020
Devastated, RIP Alex "Chumpy" Pullin
— mbandyle34 (@mbandyle34) July 8, 2020
So very sad to hear the tragic news about Alex “Chumpy†Pullin.
— Belinda Noonan (@BelindaNoonan1) July 8, 2020
Incredible sportsperson, generous with his time - especially with younger winter athletes. A massive loss to winter sport worldwide.
Sincere condolences to his family and friends. @AUSOlympicTeam @OWI_AUS @NSWIS
Devastated to hear of the tragic passing of Chumpy Pullin. He and his family were some of my first supporters and mentors at the start of my career and I wouldn't have made it were I was without them. Such a huge loss to the community.
— Brooke Dunleavy (@BrookeDunleavy) July 8, 2020
Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin was an extraordinary individual who pursued his passions in sport and in life. This loss is tragic to everyone he inspired and loved, including everyone at TeamNSWIS. Our thoughts & condolences are with his family. pic.twitter.com/SWFxTldhl1
— NSW Institute of Sport (@NSWIS) July 8, 2020
Rest in peace Chumpy. 2020 get in the bin
— Caleb Logan (@CeaguL5) July 8, 2020
Quite shaken by Chumpy Pullin's tragic death. Managed his ambassadorship with a brand I used to work for. Charming, intelligent, humble and immensely talented young man.
— George (@hannibalportus) July 8, 2020
Extremely shocked and saddened to hear the news of Chumpy’s passing. Chumpy was a huge part of the Australian Winter team and will be sorely missed.
— Jarryd Hughes (@JarrydHughes) July 8, 2020
It was an honour to be teammates and have raced alongside you. Sending my condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. RIP. pic.twitter.com/EX6SwPhUzm
RIP Chumpy! pic.twitter.com/GTuPdneYz3
— Lachan (@Lachie_massey) July 8, 2020
RIP chumpy ðŸ™ðŸ½ pic.twitter.com/rw5wmE43y5
— james 🇦🇺 (@jimbob_walker) July 8, 2020
IT CAN’T BE CHUMPY. No no no no ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) July 8, 2020
I marched behind Chumpy Pullin as flagbearer at the Sochi Winter Olympics and then worked closely with him every day as Media Liasion Officer during those Games. Just numb at this news.
— Damian Kelly (@damianjkelly) July 8, 2020
Holy moly. So sad to hear about Chumpy Pullin. Champion athlete #RIP
— Melanie Dinjaski (@MelanieDinjaski) July 8, 2020
Originally published as High-profile Australian snowboarder Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin drowns on Gold Coast
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