For years Rotorua whitewater legend Nikki Kelly has defied the odds, taking on challenges others would never dream of and dominating the sports of kayaking and rafting.
Last month her efforts were recognised at the highest level when she was inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame.
The 42-year-old, who moved to Rotorua 12 years ago, has been an integral member of the New Zealand women's rafting team, who have won multiple world titles and never missed the podium, since 1999.
In 2004 she became the first woman to tackle the descent of the Grand Canyon of the Stikine River in British Columbia and was the only female member of a Seven Rivers Expedition in the United States.
She has also competed in freestyle, canoe slalom, canoe polo, kayak surfing, surf ski, stand-up paddleboarding and outriggers at a national or world level.
The hall of fame recognises and honours individuals who have made significant contributions to whitewater related activities. A post by the organisation on its Facebook page said: "Nikki's achievements alone are an inspiration to all paddlers, but in particular to women paddlers who have seen her achieve greatness in a discipline that has been reasonably male-dominated since she first started paddling.
Toi Ohomai adventure tourism tutor and kayak coach Nikki Kelly has been inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame. Photo/Stephen Parker
"She inspires women all over the world to get out there, try new things and believe in themselves. Even with all these impressive accomplishments, Nikki is down-to-earth and a great person to learn from or share a casual conversation with."
Kelly said she was not aware she had been nominated for the hall of fame by the International Rafting Federation, so receiving the email saying she had made it was a pleasant surprise.
"It took a while to sink in and the more people I talked to the more the magnitude of it set in. I'm really chuffed and proud, I guess it's recognition of a life's work. When you get to motherhood and working you forget those sort of things have happened in your life, so it was a really nice reminder of what I've achieved and that it actually meant something to people.
"In terms of recognition this is the pinnacle, you have that recognition and respect from your fellow kayakers anyway, but to have it voted on by those types of people is neat," Kelly said.
While she has a long list of individual kayaking achievements, she said it was the success with the rafting team she had enjoyed most because she was able to share it with others.
"The majority of us are over 40, one is over 50, so we qualify for masters but we were able to hold our own in the open. The rafting probably had a lot to do with the hall of fame."
Nikki Kelly and her New Zealand women's teammates in action at the 2015 World Rafting Championships in Indonesia. Photo/Supplied
Born and bred in Geraldine, when asked why she thought she had been able to achieve so much that others hadn't she simply replied "I'm a southern girl".
"I was born on a farm, horse riding, I wasn't too precious. It's a bit of the upbringing and I also think it's the good kayakers you get with early on. You're safe when you're with good kayakers, they can call you off dangerous situations. It's definitely the crowd that you go with."
At 16, Kelly won a high school outdoor education scholarship to train as a raft guide with Rangitata Rafts in the South Island. She worked there, as their first female guide, until she was 20, before focusing on being a full-time kayaker.
"I like the feeling you get on the water, it doesn't necessarily have to be challenging, the word is serenity. It makes you feel quite whole, it's your fun place to be or your happy place. You are in the present.
"If I was to really look at it, I think it would be the people. It's a real close-knit family, anywhere in the world that you kayak you share quite intense experiences on the river together - it's a unique bond."
Having three sons, aged 9, 7 and 5, put life in a new perspective for Kelly who takes part in fewer death-defying activities than she used to, but she still travelled to Japan last month and won silver with New Zealand women's rafting team.
She said the hall of fame induction had inspired her to continue challenging herself, whether it be on the water or other aspects of life such as further study.
