Doctors can't explain how extreme kayaker Ryan Lucas survived being trapped underwater for more than three minutes at a remote waterfall in the Kaimanawa Forest Park. Lucas can - his expedition partner, Mike Roy.

Explore The River People, an exclusive Herald video presentation.

In March 2015, Louise Hull, one of the country’s most renowned whitewater kayakers, went under in the rapids of the Kaituna River and never came up. This is the story of her death but it is also a story of renewal, as those closest to her keep her memory alive by celebrating her sense of adventure.

First Tasman rower had no two-way radio communication once out of sight of land.

This is a good time to be a New Zealand woman kayaker.

Organisers of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast race have teamed up with a global environment group to ensure the iconic event leaves no trace upon the spectacular South Island countryside it traverses.

Australian Jess Fox will lead a procession of world-class canoe slalom paddlers at this weekend's Oceania championships in Auckland. The

Australian Jess Fox will lead a procession of world-class canoe slalom paddlers at this weekend's Oceania championships in Auckland.

Lynn Paterson has been paddling for 130 days around the coast of New Zealand.

Triple Olympic medallist Lisa Carrington has been awarded the Lonsdale Cup for 2016 after a year of stellar performances on the water.

A decision on whether the Department of Conservation will allow the Waitaha River power scheme will be made by mid-2017.

Submissions from all over New Zealand have poured in opposing Westpower's Waitaha River power scheme, forcing a four-day hearing in Hokitika next week.

Luuka Jones waited four long days, ironically until her least favoured event, before climbing to the top of the podium at the Whitewater XL kayaking event in Auckland.

Man suffers leg and arm injuries in machete attack.

Dawson began the expedition with an open but wary mind. He exited his journey convinced the area is subject to misconceptions.

Brit puts out 'back in five minutes' sign and goes kayaking with orca

For evidence of Lisa Carrington's impact on New Zealand sprint canoeing, you didn't need to look much further than the final of the women's K4 500m.

The New Zealand women's K4 sprint canoe team have booked a place in the Olympic 500m final after two highly impressive races in Rio.

WATCH: Kiwi kayak queen Lisa Carrington 'stoked' as she powers her way to back-to-back Olympic gold medals.

Lisa Carrington will start favourite to defend her Olympic canoe sprint title after explosive performances in the opening K1 200m opening races in Rio.

Kayaker Lisa Carrington is regarded as the rock star of her sport in Europe and is hunted down and mobbed for her autograph her mum says

Rio canoe slalom silver medallist Luuka Jones expects the next generation of Kiwi paddlers to make waves in the sport now that the country has its own whitewater venue.

Surprise silver as Tauranga-born Luuka Jones wins Olympic silver medal in the canoe slalom.

What started as an innovative Olympic fundraiser has turned into a humanitarian campaign by New Zealand Olympic kayaker Mike Dawson. The

The hard work is done for kayaker Lisa Carrington; now it's managing the last bit of fine tuning before attempting to win two Olympic medals in Rio.

The 35-year-old earned the Oceania women's K1 200m spot for the Rio Games at Adelaide in February to become Samoa's first female Olympic kayaker.

Lisa Carrington's bid for double gold came up a second short at the opening World Cup regatta in Duisburg, Germany last night.