BRAD RUSSELL HONOURED BY QUEENSLAND PADDLING COMMUNITY
The Queensland paddling community is honouring the life of Brad Russell, who tragically died while competing in the Gold Coast’s 14 Beaches downwind race last weekend.
Russell was pulled from the surf near the finish at Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, after suffering what is believed to have been a heart attack.
Despite the efforts of water safety, lifeguards, emergency services and notably, fellow paddlers, he was unable to be revived.
Brad’s training group held a paddle-out in Brisbane on Tuesday morning, holding a minute’s silence and sharing stories of a man remembered as “passionate”, “dedicated” and above all, “a great friend”.
The service was also attended by his wife, Melinda, and one of his sons.
A prominent lawyer, Brad was a partner at McCullough Robertson, where he headed the insurance and corporate risk group.
“Beyond all Brad’s achievements he was a great friend, mentor and colleague to all who had the privilege of working with him.” McCullough Robertson said in a statement.
“He was a dedicated husband and father, and our thoughts and condolences are with Brad’s wife Melinda, and his sons Harry and Charlie.”
For all of his professional success, Brad’s greatest passion was surf life saving.
A board member of Surf Life Saving Queensland for six years, he was a much-loved member of Maroochydore SLSC.
“We’re all in shock,” Maroochydore SLSC President Rob Elford told The Courier Mail.
“Brad was an absolute rock in the surf club – he was one of those guys who was just always there.
“He was just always someone you could depend on. There was nothing you could ask him to do that he wouldn’t do his best to help you out.”
Mr Elford went on to describe Brad, a keen paddler who was “always in the water”.
“You don’t enter the 14 beaches (paddle marathon) on a whim,” he said.
This year, the 14 Beaches doubled as Paddle Australia’s national championships, and the field of more than 180 paddlers were greeted with timeless downwind conditions.
A southerly wind upwards of 15 knots combined with a solid southerly groundswell to make the 18 kilometre course from Snapper Rocks to Braodbeach, at Surfers Paradise, a great downwind.
Cory Hill won ahead of Tom Norton and Mackenzie Hynard, but when news of Brad’s passing filtered around the finish line, results faded into irrelevance.
Race organisers cancelled the presentation, but a large group of paddlers still came together to honour one of their own.
“First and foremost, our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the paddler who tragically passed away near the finish of Saturday’s race,” Paddle Queensland and Paddle Australia said in a joint statement issued to competitors on Monday afternoon.
“The strength of our sport is our incredible paddling community across Australia, and we sincerely thank and acknowledge those members who acted selflessly, in what was a very stressful situation, to assist the organisers and emergency services over the weekend.
“We are proud that our community always looks out for fellow paddlers. Never has this been better exemplified than by the actions of those that helped on Saturday.
“Together, Paddle Australia and Paddle Queensland, will prepare a full report on the incident, calling on the relevant agencies where necessary.
“The findings will be shared with the paddling community as soon as they are available.”
The two organisations are offering support to any paddler impacted by the tragedy.
Maroochydore Surf Lifesaving Club has flagged its intentions to celebrate Brad’s life in a profound way.
“We’ll no doubt pay tribute to Brad in a big way, in line with the wishes of his family, of course.”
But for now, the ocean sports community remembers one of its own, taken too soon.
The Paddler would like to offer its deepest condolences to Melinda, Harry and Charlie, along with all of Brad’s family and friends.
