Legendary swimming coach Duncan Laing has died in Dunedin, aged 77.
Mr Laing coached 11 Olympic swimmers, but his most famous protege was Danyon Loader who won double gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
Andrew James Duncan Laing was born in New Plymouth in 1931 and grew up in Waitara. He represented New Zealand in surf life-saving and as a swimmer won the national three-mile open swim title at Lake Karapiro.
He began his career as a swimming coach in New Plymouth, moving to Dunedin in 1966 as coach for the city council at the Moana Pool. He stayed there until he retired in 2006, aged 75.
He coached at every level from learners up and often took toddlers right through to national championships. His proteges included Anna Wilson and Jonathan Duncan but Loader was the most successful swimmer under his tutelage.
Mr Laing won many honours for his coaching work, including the 1992 Halberg Award for coach official of the year and the 1996 Coaching New Zealand Award for male coach of the year.
He also had a keen interest in rugby, playing for Taranaki in his youth and later serving as a selector for Otago.
He was subject to some petty jealousies in his career and there were those who found his larger-than-life personality grating and his coaching attitude too tough. He dealt with the criticism by saying he believed the coach should be in charge, not the swimmer.
In 1993 he was awarded the OBE for his services to sport, especially swimming, and in 2006 he became a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Loader described Mr Laing as a well-rounded coach and tenacious person. He says Mr Laing was quick with a joke and could create a relaxed atmosphere at any occasion.
