‘Down-to-earth’ young kayaker Jeremy Norbury dies on group trip near Haast

Jeremy Norbury died while kayaking near Jackson Bay. Photo / Supplied

A kayaker who died near Haast on Saturday has been remembered as an “absolutely amazing human”.

Jeremy Norbury, a 24-year-old from Queenstown, died while on a group kayaking trip in Jackson Bay/Okahu in Haast.

Norbury was an avid kayaker whose social media is filled with pictures and videos of daring trips across the world.

Clearly an avid adventurer, he boasted stunts like going backwards off massive waterfalls in Canada, free falling several metres into the water below.

He was very talented at his sport of choice, and the breathtaking views of the other places he ventured to such as Mexico served as a backdrop to terrifying stunts that only few would dare to complete.

He didn’t always travel so far, however, often taking on the rapids and falls in Hokitika and Queenstown.

The 24-year-old recent graduate also worked as a geologist for Geosolve Engineering consultants in Queenstown.

His boss, Paul Faulkner, told the Herald Norbury had been with the company since 2021 and was known to be friendly and hardworking – always willing to go the extra mile.

“To his colleagues in Geosolve Jeremy brought not just his valued contribution to the projects, always being ready for an inconvenient site visit, but also his friendship,” said Faulkner.

“He’ll be missed for his down-to-earth and uncomplicated approach to life, his Monday morning tales of weekend adventures and easy-going presence around the office.”

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A post shared by Jeremy Norbury (@jeremynorbury)

Faulkner said he would “certainly be missed” by the team, and extended his condolences to Norbury’s friends and family.

A post on social media from a friend described the young adventurer as “an absolutely amazing human, whose love for life was truly inspiring.

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A post shared by Jeremy Norbury (@jeremynorbury)

“You will be incredibly missed by all of those who were lucky enough to call you a friend. Rest up brother, we will all see you soon.”

Multiple comments on the post referred to Norbury as a “legend”, and another called him a “bright soul”.

“The best Kiwi I’ve ever met,” said another.

“Rest easy.”