SURF LIFESAVERS MOURN THE LOSS OF JACOB LOLLBACK

September 23: Australia's surf lifesaving community today awoke to the devastating news that one of their own 20-year-old Jacob Lollback yesterday died tragically in a diving accident on the Queensland north coast. IAN HANSON PAYS TRIBUTE TO JACOB LOLLBACK...

Lollback had touched the hearts of everyone who were lucky enough to know the former Australian under 21 captain.

The likable youngster grew up in and around Yamba before making a name for himself with Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park and this year with the Tugun club.

There was an uneasy silence at the Michael King Ironman Academy this morning.

The 30 strong group went through their paces during a pre dawn swim session at Mountain Creek on the Sunshine Coast.

Matt Poole, like Lollback a former Australian under 19 Ironman champion could not believe the news as it filtered through last night.

Poole, one of the front runners for this year's nib Coolangatta Gold received a series of text messages and phone calls from friends and family expressing their shock at the news of Lollback's death.

"I could not believe it and I must have received almost 20 messages in a short space of time as the news came through," Poole said.

"Some of the girls have been up most of the night, unable to come to terms with what has happened and unable to train this morning.

"Jacob was not only a champion life saver but a champion bloke who everyone just loved to be around.

"He always had time for everybody and there is no doubt he was one of the best competitors who any of us ever raced.

"It's hard to imagine what his family is going through but all I can say is that everyone who new Jacob will never forget him."

Lollback had been groomed as one of the real rising stars in the surf life saving ranks, winning multiple NSW, QLD and Australian championships and in 2007 won the under 19 nib Coolangatta Gold, running most of the way with a cheeky smile on his face.

It's that cheeky smile that the surf lifesaving family will always remember as they come to terms with the loss of a young man with the world at his feet.

A young man who in his 20 short years created a huge impression on so many people.

There are certain to be many competitors who will carry the spirit and the smile of Jacob Lollback when they line up for this years nib Coolangatta Gold on October 18.

IAN HANSON, NICK SMART & KURT HANSON PAY TRIBUTE TO JACOB LOLLBACK {audio}/images/stories/news-articles/audio/jacob tribute.mp3{/audio}