Man who died paddle boarding at Elk Island remembered as ‘hard-working’ family man

A 42-year-old man whose body was recovered from Astotin Lake at Elk Island Park on Monday is being remembered by friends and loved ones.

Sachin Kadam was paddle boarding on the lake in Elk Island National Park on Saturday. He was with another paddle boarder but the two lost sight of one another, RCMP said.

Friend Vishnu Kaginkar said Kadam was a strong swimmer and the group of friends at the lake that day couldn’t believe he died on the water.

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“He lost control and fell in the water and never came out,” Kaginkar said.

“I feel so bad. I lost my good friend,” he added. “It’s so hard on his wife.”

Kaginkar said Kadam moved to Canada from India in 2014 with his wife and young daughter.

“He was hard working and looking after family and kids and good friends with us.”

Kadam was a welder by trade and worked in the oil and gas industry, Kaginkar said.

A gofundme page has been set up to support Kadam’s wife and daughter.

“He is gone but we don’t want his family to suffer,” he said. “We’ll try our best to do whatever we can and make sure they have a good life in the future.”

Kaginkar described Kadam as very friendly and always helping others.

“He’s gone from our sight but he’ll be in our hearts.

“He’s a fighter. He’ll be remembered as a fighter.”