Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin remembered as passionate, down-to-earth leader

A natural-born leader who could befriend anyone he met, Chumpy, as he was affectionately known, was a larger-than-life piece of Australia's winter Olympic team.

Mr Pullin, 32, died on July 8 on the Gold Coast. It's believed he had been spearfishing alone on an artificial reef at Palm Beach.

Mr Chesterman, who was speaking for the first time since news of Mr Pullin's death broke, said he was a passionate and charismatic man who had a rare ability to take people along with him.

"That combination of passion and charisma meant he became a great leader of sport, not just his own sport of snowboard cross, but indeed all winter sports. He had such a huge impact."

Mr Chesterman said it remained an "enormous honour" of his to select Mr Pullin as the flag bearer in 2014.

"I remember his face and the sheer joy he had, it was a real eye opener. He leaves behind and incredible mark not just here, but overseas," he said.

"His impact has been huge globally and I know there is a tremendous sense of great loss."

Mr Pullin had always had a passion for the snow and for snow sports, but found from a young age he had an affinity for snowboarding. He represented Australian three times at the Olympic Games - in 2010, 2014 and 2018.

In his first Olympic Games in 2010, Mr Pullin had the fastest qualifying time in his event, a feat Mr Chesterman said made the winter sports world stand up and take notice.

Despite being eliminated in the first round that year, Mr Chesterman said no one had anticipated Mr Pullin to achieve such a fast time.

However, it wasn't just his sporting prowess that Mr Pullin will be remembered for - but his champion personality too.

"He had this passion about everything he did, but the great thing about Chumpy is, well, despite all his success, he was able to talk to anyone and gather people around him," Mr Chesterman said.

While Mr Pullin might have been near the end of his competitive career, Mr Chesterman said he had a bright future of mentoring ahead of him, which had made the loss felt more keenly.

"He lifted the profile of winter sports in Australia enormously through his success. But I think what he was able to do was lead others and inspire others to be as good as he was.

Mr Chesterman said the committee was working on a tribute to Mr Pullin but it was early days yet to be able to reveal any details.

He said he and the whole community were thinking of his family.