CRNZ is saddened to learn of the death of former World Wildwater champion and New Zealand World Marathon Championship representative, Andrew Martin.
Andrew, 58, tragically died on Sunday in a car accident between Nelson and Blenheim. His daughter, Lucy, who has travelling with him, is currently in a critical condition at Wellington Hospital.
Andrew had a lengthy and proud affiliation with paddle sports, representing his country in slalom, wildwater racing and marathon.
He was also a triallist for the New Zealand canoe sprint team at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. In a long and successful paddling career he twice attained top 10 finishes at the Wildwater World Championships and along with Phil Dooney and Aaron Cox struck team gold at the 1995 Wildwater World Championships. Andrew competed at every Wildwater World Championship from 1985 to 1998.
He also won national titles in wildwater, marathon and surf lifesaving.
In more recent years he set up a kayak and paddles manufacturing business in his home town of Nelson. At the time of his death he was working as a builder. He also has an older daughter, Hannah.
