Body of missing boatie recovered

A police dive team was used in the search. Photo / NZ Police

Police have confirmed the body recovered from Lake Lyndon in Canterbury today has been formally identified as Bradley Richard Ivan Stempa.

Police divers recovered the 21-year-old's body after he was last seen around 100m from shore yesterday, as he swam to retrieve an inflatable boat.

Mr Stempa and a friend had been fishing at Lake Lyndon.

The weather was fine but soon started to deteriorate. Water temperatures at Lake Lyndon are typically 5-7C at this time of year.

A search and rescue operation was launched, with police divers joining the search today.

At around 3pm divers recovered a body from the lake, police said.

Mr Stempa was originally from Coalgate.

Police said his family and friends had asked for privacy and would not be issuing any statements.

His death had been referred to the coroner.