A friend out on the water with him when tragedy struck told the Herald that McLarin suffered a heart attack whilst paddling with around seven others during a training.
“I was with him on the water as part of the kayak training group, and I was the one who made the 111 call,” the friend said.
In an online tribute, another friend said McLarin would be sorely missed during their early morning training sessions.
Friends have named Waitemata Canoe & Multisport Club member and father Simon McLarin as the person who died following the medical event yesterday. Photo / Facebook
“He always said to me the water was his happy place, and if he had to go, he wanted it to be on the water,” the friend wrote.
Others said McLarin was a “great guy and an awesome competitor on the water”.
“He was such a monster paddler,” another friend wrote.
A kayaker suffered a medical event in the water off Auckland’s Hobsonville Marina. Photo / Dean Purcell
Witnesses told the Herald the kayaker had suffered a medical event, and the nearby launch had stepped in to help and take him onboard.
The man received medical treatment on the private launch, but died, police said.
Hato Hone St John said it sent an ambulance, a helicopter and a rapid response unit to the marina.
The private launch had docked in the marina by 9.30am, with one of the Police Maritime Unit’s rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) rafted up alongside it.
The police boat, Deodar, and Fire and Emergency NZ were also at the scene.
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