Waitematā Harbour dawn paddle honours kayaker Simon McLarin who died after medical event

Emergency services were called to an area offshore from Hobsonville Marina at around 8.35am yesterday.

Despite a multi-agency rescue operation, McLarin did not survive.

A friend out on the water with him when the tragedy struck, told the Herald that McLarin suffered a heart attack while paddling with seven others during a training.

“I was with him on the water as part of the kayak training group,” the friend said.

Simon McLarin’s sons joined club mates at dawn today to lay a wreath in Waitematā Harbour.

Matt Thomson, who has competed against and alongside McLarin, described him as a “legend” of the sport.

“Simon was a legend of kayaking in New Zealand with multiple NZ titles in sprint and marathon,” Thomson said.

“I competed against him in many events, including NZ champs. I had huge respect for his competitiveness and strength.

“He was also generous of spirit and always found time to help others.”

Friends have named Waitematā Canoe and Multisport Club member and father Simon McLarin as the person who died following the medical event yesterday. Photo / Facebook

In an online tribute, another friend said McLarin would be sorely missed during their early morning training sessions.

“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.

The kayaker suffered a medical event in the water off Auckland’s Hobsonville Marina yesterday morning. Photo / Dean Purcell

Witnesses told the Herald the kayaker had suffered a medical event, and a nearby launch had stepped in to help and take him onboard.

He 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 rafted up alongside it.

The police boat, Deodar, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand were also at the scene.