Alex Pullin dead: World-champion Australian snowboarder, 32, dies while spearfishing in Queensland

Two-time world champion snowboarder Alex Pullin has died while spearfishing in Australia.

Mr Pullin, 32, was found unresponsive off Palm Beach on Queensland's Gold Coast on Wednesday.

He was treated by paramedics at the scene but could not be revived, authorities said.

Justin Payne, a Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) officer in charge at Coolangatta, said emergency services responded to at 10.30am.

"The QAS received a phone call to support the lifeguards down here, where they were attempting to retrieve and resuscitate a 32-year-old male, who was found on the bottom of the ocean," he said.

"The resuscitation attempt was for approximately 45 to 50 minutes, with CPR the entire time. Unfortunately, the patient [did not] survive."

Mr Pullin, who was nicknamed "Chumpy", won world championship titles in 2011 and 2013.

He also represented Australia in snowboard cross at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Olympics and was Australia's flagbearer at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

A snorkeller had spotted Mr Pullin unconscious underwater on an artificial reef, local media said.

Lifeguards brought him to shore and called paramedics at 10.30am.

Industry bodies and fellow athletes have paid tribute to the snowboarder.

The sport's Australian top body, Snow Australia, said it was "shocked and saddened" by Mr Pullin's death.

"Alex was a beloved member of the Snow Australia community and he will be dearly missed," it said in a statement.

"An incredible athlete, beloved teammate and role model, you will be sorely missed," the Australian Olympic Team said.

Former Australian speed skater Steven Bradbury: "The world will miss such a talented human and a double world champion without ego and without selfishness who is everyone's best mate."

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