A father of two who drowned while spearfishing off the Gascoyne coast this month was due to sail with his young family on a catamaran to Indonesia just days before he died.
Collin “Coco” Martins has been remembered as a beloved member of WA’s surfing community who saw the “world as his house” after he tragically failed to resurface in waters off Red Bluff at Quobba Station on September 17.
Martins leaves behind a wife and two young sons, who were preparing to sail with the 37-year-old to Mentawai to start a new life this Sunday.
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A close friend of Martins said: “He really was one in a million.”
”He was my best friend here in Australia and one of my best friends in life,” the friend said.
“When his wife called me I couldn’t believe it . . . this week has been terrible for all of us.”
Martins grew up near Bordeaux, France, spending his days on the beach, before he moved to Sydney to pursue a career as a chef where he ultimately became an “Aussie”.
“With the money that they took away, he got his first boat . . . then he understood that he could live a different life using the boat to go surfing near the most remote islands in the world,” the friend, who didn’t wish to be named, added.
After moving to Margaret River, Martins devised a plan to sail from Carnarvon to Mentawai with his family on a newly purchased catamaran named ‘Firmament’.
They had just sold their house alongside other belongings to prepare for the adventure.
Martins previously told friends he was looking forward to opening a surf and diving shop once completing the trip
An online fundraiser was created this week to support his family through “this extremely difficult period.”
“On Tuesday, September 17th, our beloved, adventurous, free-spirited Coco passed away in a heartbreaking accident,” the fundraiser said.
“Gabrielle, Sol and Louis have lost an adoring husband and father. And his family and friends are devastated by Coco being taken too soon.
“This tragic event occurred just days before the family was planning to begin a long-anticipated and life-changing sailing trip on their newly purchased Catamaran ‘Firmament’ to Indonesia and beyond.”
A documentary was released in 2020 documenting Mr Martins’ previous “life-changing” travels at sea.
“Collin is a person who lives for and by surfing. He devotes his life to it. He works only for that purpose,” the YouTube documentary description said.
On Sunday, the day he was supposed to set sail for Indonesia, loved ones will paddle out at Gnaraloo Bay around 4pm to pay their respects.
The family is asking people who are unable to travel to the remote location to “share a moment” with them and paddle out wherever they are in the world.
You can help the family by donating here: