Paddling coach dies in beach incident

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The island's paddling community has suffered a major loss with the passing of Rick Appleton, a beloved local dive instructor and a paddling coach.  On Appleton's Facebook page, some of his former athletes posted comments thanking him for taking the time to show them the ocean and sharing his passion for paddling. 

In 2010, he was instrumental in the Guam Women's National Paddling Team bringing home the gold medal at the Micronesian Games in Palau. 

Appleton was pulled from the waters during a dive class on Friday afternoon near Gun Beach in Tumon. An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted on Tuesday to determine the cause of death. Appleton was 67 years old.