Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin’s heartbroken girlfriend leads moving memorial service

The heartbroken girlfriend of Olympic snowboarder Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin was joined by friends and family this morning as she led a moving dawn memorial in memory of the late sporting icon.

Ellidy Vlug, who lived with Pullin and their beloved puppy Rummi on Queensland’s Gold Coast, was pictured wading into the sea, alongside her nearest and dearest on Saturday morning, as she paid tribute to her partner who tragically died while spearfishing on Wednesday, July 8.

The 32-year-old sportsman, who was also an experienced free diver, was found unresponsive on the ocean floor while spearfishing at an artificial reef off Palm Beach earlier this week. Paramedics were called to the scene at about 10:30am Wednesday, however Pullin could not be revived.

It is believed he may have suffered a shallow water blackout, which is the term used to describe a loss of consciousness under water caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain while breath-holding.

Pullin – known as ‘Chumpy’ – was a two-time snowboard cross world champion and three-time Olympian. He was also the Australian flag bearer for the 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi, Russia.

Ellidy summoned the strength to lead the poignant ceremony this morning as she paddled into the water at Palm Beach, where Pullin tragically lost his life. The 28-year-old model, originally from Narrabeen, NSW, wore a wreath of colourful flowers around her head.

Among the mourners who turned out to remember Chumpy was surfing star Mick Fanning, as well as Alex’s family and many of the couple’s friends. Fanning penned a tribute to Alex on Instagram, writing: “Forever in our hearts and your memories will live on forever mate!”

Earlier this week Ellidy posted a note on the door of the couple’s “forever home”, thanking people for their messages of support at this difficult time. According to News.com.au it read: “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.”