AN experienced endurance swimmer, who came first in last year's Dart 10k, has died after getting into difficulty while swimming off the South Hams coast.

Police were called to a report that a man had been brought ashore unconscious after getting into difficulty off Beesands, at around 12.30pm on Saturday.

Jonathan Joyce, 41, was brought ashore by a canoeist who went to his aid after seeing him lying in the water.

Members of the public called the emergency services and attempted to resusitate Mr Joyce. A spokesman for the ambulance service, which arrived at about 12.45pm, said: 'The patient underwent cardiac arrest on the beach.'

He was airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth where, after further attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead.

Mr Joyce, who was born at Ashburton, was a co-founder and technical director of Edinburgh computer software company Storm ID.

Colleagues Simon Wall, Paul McGinness and Craig Turpie said: 'JJ, as he was known to us all, was a keen and able endurance swimmer.

'His passing has come as a huge shock to all of us at Storm ID and he will be sorely missed.

'We have lost not only a wonderful and passionate colleague but a dear friend whose life has been tragically cut short.

'The only comfort that we can take at this sad time is that our lives have been greatly enriched by having had the privilege of knowing him and for having done some incredible work with an extremely gifted and remarkable individual.

'Jonathan's family and friends are at the centre of our thoughts at this difficult time.'

Rory Aitken posted on Storm ID's website: 'He swam with me at the Burgh Island race in August 2012, and as we exited the water miles ahead of anyone else he suggested "let's do it again". So we went for a second lap and caught up some of the slower swimmers still on their first lap. Happy memories.

'Later, in September 2012, we swam the Dart 10k from Totnes to Dittisham (which JJ won), and before the start he told me some jokes and really calmed my nerves.

'He was the best open water swimmer I've ever had the privilege of meeting and swimming with.'

Mr Joyce's parents Pete, 66, and Denise, 65, paid tribute to their son, telling the Edinburgh Evening News he had 'many reasons to be proud'.

They said: 'Storm ID had been established for a few years and they hosted a party on the beach. Jonathan had looked out and seen about 100 people – mothers, fathers, children, young people and their partners – all having fun together in the knowledge that they had a secure future.

'He was proud he had been able to help create that.

'Jonathan lived for 41 years and died knowing that he was loved and admired for every single moment by his parents.'

Mr Joyce was a member of the Outdoor Swimming Society which said: 'Jonathan was a strong swimmer with an infectious enthusiasm for life.

'He was an intelligent and generous man, who inspired great love and laughter, and was often responsible for great outbreaks of joy, adventure and good ideas. He was technical director of Storm ID, the creator of http://www.wild">www.wild swim.com and a valued member of the OSS team.

'His parting is a great loss to his friends, family and all the communities he contributed so richly and deeply to.

'Our thoughts now are with his family, friends and his sons.'

Mr Joyce was thought to have been swimming with a friend when he experienced difficulties, the cause of which is currently unknown.

Results of the post mortem are awaited but it is believed he suffered an unexpected medical event while heading for shore.

The incident was attended by Prawle Point and Dartmouth Coastguard rescue teams, Salcombe lifeboat, police, the air ambulance and South West Ambulance Trust.