Sea conditions have brought an early end to today's search for a Gisborne man missing, believed drowned, while kayaking at Pouawa Beach north of Gisborne yesterday afternoon.
The man and his partner went out for a paddle in strong offshore wind conditions when the man fell from his craft and disappeared under the water.
An 82-year-old man who was camping ashore went out in his runabout and rescued the woman.
Witnesses said he got close to the man when he went under.
The search for the missing 25-year-old resumed at first light this morning and the police dive squad joined the search mid-morning.
