Hundreds turn out of Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin paddle out tribute

Hundreds of boardriders have joined together to remember snowboard legend Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin’s after his shock death.

The news of Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin’s death on Wednesday shocked the world but the measure of the amount of people his life touched has come into fuller view in emotional scenes at Palm Beach.

Hundreds of surfers, including his heartbroken partner Ellidy Vlug and his father Chris were among the surfers who paddled out for the fallen Olympian.

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Pullin died on Wednesday while spearfishing. He was found unresponsive on the ocean floor at an artificial reef by a snorkeller, who raised the alarm. But paramedics were unable to revive the 32-year-old after performing CPR for 45 minutes.

In stirring scenes on the Gold Coast, surfers including champions Mick Fanning and Steph Gilmore were among those to pay tribute to the snowboarder, while his dog Rummi waited on the shoreline.

This morning, surfers paddled out to sea for Alex Chumpy Pullin. His dog sat on the beach and watched 😢 @10NewsFirstQLD @10NewsFirst pic.twitter.com/ErxnH4GsaC

— Georgina Hill (@GeorgiHill10) July 10, 2020

The paddle out is a surfing ritual to honour fallen friends.

Pullin was a keen surfer as well as snowboarder.

Surfing world champion Stephanie Gilmore said “he was taken too soon”.

“He was an Australian icon,” said an emotional Gilmore. “I hadn’t spent a lot of time with him, but he left such an impact on me.”

Vlug didn’t speak to media but her mother Karen said it’d been “an emotional week” and said “Ellidy’s exhausted”.

Family and friends remember Pullin.

Alex Pullin's father and girlfriend Ellidy Vlug head out.

Surfers paddle out in memory of Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin.

Surfers gathered to pay their respects to Alex "Chumpy" Pullin.

Alex Pullin's girlfriend Ellidy Vlug is supported by family and friends.

Pullin touched plenty of people with his life.

The water was filled with surfers.

Pullin’s family was left heartbroken.

Plenty turned out for the paddle out.

Ellidy Vlug's kelpie Rummi on the beach during a paddle out.

Earlier this week, Vlug posted a note to her door following the massive outpouring of grief at the snowboarding champion’s death.

“Dear media,” she wrote. “Thank you for your thoughts this is a very difficult time for me and I ask that you respect my privacy during this period of grief.

“Know that Chumpy absolutely loved life and lived life to the full.

“He lived for us – his family, our puppy Rummi, our amazing friends and the home we made together.

“He was living his dream, our dream.

“I am eternally grateful that I have lived my life with him and I am deeply saddened that his life has been cut short.

“Rest in peace my beautiful man. Kind regards, Ellidy.”