His love for water sports blossomed when he began going for swimming lessons with his younger sister when he was seven years old.
Koh Kah Wei went on to achieve accolades in swimming, diving, triathlons and his favourite sport, kayaking.
The 30-year-old was in his kayak on Saturday when it hit driftwood and overturned in a river in Perak, Malaysia.
His friends tried to help him but he was swept away by strong currents.
His body was found the next day with his shirt stuck between rocks in Sungai Tesong – about 1km from where he fell into the river.
Mr Koh’s family paid tribute to him yesterday at his wake in Anchorvale Drive yesterday.
Koh Heng Choy, 64, said his only son loved the outdoors.
The father, who is a lorry driver, used to work part-time as a taxi driver so his son could attend swimming and kayaking lessons. In recent years, his son attained a powered pleasure craft driving licence.
“He was very fit – he had many certificates and medals, and also ran marathons.
“Whatever he liked to do, as parents, we supported him.”
His mother, a housewife, sobbed as she spoke to relatives yesterday after Mr Koh’s sister and his girlfriend of more than three years returned home from Malaysia yesterday morning with his body.
Mr Koh worked as an instructor for about three years at the People’s Association (PA) Water-Venture, which conducts water and adventure sports activities.
About two months ago, he left the job and started conducting life saving and swimming courses.
“He believed in ‘safety first’.
“He was found with his helmet still on but his life vest was gone,” said his father.
“Maybe it was caught between the branches… it’s fate.”
Mr Koh had kayaked in Perak several times before.
Melvyn Leong, 28, who met him about eight years ago through a kayaking group, said: “He taught life saving and swimming but, unfortunately, he could not save his own life at the very last moment.”
nghuiwen@sph.com.sg
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