Simon McLarin went the way many who knew him might have expected he would want to go. The Waitemata Canoe and Multisport Club stalwart suffered a medical event while out on the water on a Saturday morning, and his loss has sent a wave of grief through the Auckland kayaking community. For those who paddled alongside him, it is the end of an era.
His competitive record was extraordinary by any measure. Across sprint, marathon and slalom disciplines, McLarin collected titles at club, national and international level over decades of dedicated paddling. The people closest to him speak of something beyond results. He was the kind of person who made newcomers feel immediately at home, who offered his time and hard-earned knowledge without waiting to be asked. He was quick-witted and genuinely funny away from the water, and quietly formidable on it.
Those who knew him well will recognise the plastic bag pogies he wore around his hands, a personal trademark as distinctive as the man himself. Throughout his paddling life his family were a steady presence, turning up at events and club activities and sharing in the sport that held him so completely.
To mark everything McLarin gave to the paddling world, Waitemata Canoe Club is holding the McLarin Memorial Marathon on Sunday, 19 July. Course options of 20km, 10km and 5km will be on offer, opening the event to paddlers of all abilities who want to get on the water and pay tribute. All proceeds raised will go directly to his family. The club is encouraging everyone to come along and honour him in a way he would have appreciated, by competing hard and giving it everything.
A Givealittle page has been set up to help his family with funeral costs and related expenses during this difficult period. Those in a position to contribute are able to do so online.
The club has recognised the paddlers and on-water volunteers who acted quickly to assist on the morning of the incident. Pastoral support has been made available through the club for any members of the paddling community who have found the loss difficult to process.
