‘Bloody tragedy’: Water skier, father of three Zac Welch dies suddenly, leaving community devastated

A young father and fixture in Australia’s water skiing community has died suddenly, leaving behind a devastated family and community. Read the tributes.

The death of a much-loved father of three and waterskier has rocked the Echuca-Moama community amid the flood crisis.

Zac Welch’s family, who are well-known in the ski racing community, announced his “sudden death” on social media on Wednesday.

“We are all in total shock and disbelief,” his brother, Ben Welch, wrote.

Describing the situation as a “tragedy”, he thanked the local community for supporting his family.

“We will get through this tragedy – all of us.

“But I ask if you aren’t doing anything today … please fill a sandbag, help out a neighbour or check in on your loved ones.”

Well known Echuca ski racer Zac Welch, pictured with kids Banjo, Vance and Flo, has died suddenly. Picture: Supplied.

Zac, who was a world class ski racer, left behind three young children – Banjo, Vance and Flo.

Tragically his brother Jai, 33, died while competing in a race on the Murray River in 2015.

Event organisers for the Southern 80 race also posted a tribute for Zac: “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Zac Welch … A member of the Mistress team.”

They expressed their condolences to his family, children and many ski racing friends.

Tributes have poured out online, with some describing it as a “bloody tragedy”, and that it is “heartbreaking” for a family to lose two sons so young.

He is being remembered as a “a legendary skier”, “great bloke” and an “ambassador for the ski racing fraternity”.

Zac Welch (right) competing in a skiing competition in 2010 on the Clarence River at Grafton. Photo: Debrah Novak / The Daily Examiner.

One person said they were “lost for words” and another said it was “hard to believe that a great man has left us”.

Chelsea Stevens posted that Zac was “one of the good guys” and “one of the most passionate ski racers on the water”.

“He loved ski racing, competing and racing with his family and the friends he made over the past 30 years of racing.”

She said she had “amazing” memories with him – both racing on his team and against him – and said she would miss him.

The devastating news comes as the border town continues a race against the clock to prepare for the threat of a major flood.