The family of a “darling young man” killed while kayaking a West Coast river have set up a fund in his honour to help other up-and-coming kayakers.
Jeremy Norbury, 24, from Queenstown, died while kayaking as part of a group on the Turnbull River near Haast on February 25.
Friends said Norbury’s last day was spent having fun on the river and joking around with his friends in the late summer sun. His family have paid tribute to their “darling young man” by setting up the Jeremy Norbury Youth Kayaking Fund in his honour to support young up-and-coming kayakers in Central Otago.
Norbury had kayaked the Turnbull River before, as well as some of the world’s best kayaking rivers with waterfalls and rapids, which he documented on social media.
READ MORE:
* Kayaker who died on West Coast river named
* Kayaker dies during group kayak on West Coast river
Friend Jack Paulin said Norbury had an infectious happiness about him that could lighten any dull moment in an instant.
“He was about as down to earth as someone can be. He was kind, generous and had a sense of humour that could not be matched.”
Family friends Otis, Lotte and Max Rayner said Norbury was destined for greatness.
He loved sniffing out little critters under Central Otago schist rocks while on bike rides with his dad, following his mum out tramping in the New Zealand bush, and emulating his big brother by getting into kayaking, skiing, karate and trampolining.
Supplied
Norbury loved the outdoors and had an infectious happiness about him, a friend says.
“Jeremy has [always] been an over indulger, pushing the boundaries of what is possible for a human body to endure” Max Rayner said.
Friend Sam McCulloch said Norbury’s teen years were spent racing slalom kayaks, kayaking off waterfalls, mountain biking, adventure racing, coaching and leaping off rocks.
“Out of this plethora of activities, kayaking was his absolute passion, which he pursued with a laser focused drive.”
Supplied
Norbury kayaks the Waikaia River in Southland.
Norbury attended the World Class Kayak Academy in the US where he ticked off an array of the world’s best kayaking rivers.
Friend and kayaking mentor Antz Longman said Norbury was an integral part of the Central Otago Whitewater club. He grew up on and around rivers, quickly learning to paddle, competing in slalom and freestyle through his high school years, and representing New Zealand at the Canoe Freestyle World Championships.
“His river journeys took him across the world, striking friendships and leaving impressions on paddlers worldwide. As a club we will always remember Jerm as approachable, down to earth and true to himself,” Longman said.
After returning to New Zealand, Norbury went to Otago University to study earth and ocean sciences. He became a member of the Otago University Kayak Club and coached beginners.
Supplied
Nobury, second from right, with mum Dale, girlfriend Morgan Larkins, and dad Grant.
Flatmate Dan Sutherland said when Norbury moved to Queenstown, where he worked as a graduate geologist, he was not interested in partying but preferred kayaking and camping with mates or sitting at home with a lighthearted movie.
He did not care what other people thought of him and was unapologetically himself, Sutherland said.
Girlfriend Morgan Larkins said Norbury was often couldn’t sit still and only took photos and videos of his pursuits to show his parents.
“He was a kayaking, biking, skiing, frisbee, shit talking, staple machine all of which he did for no other reason than his own enjoyment and all of which brought infinite joy to the people around him.”
Supplied
Norbury, second from right, with his dad, left, brother Marcus, and mum. All of the Norbury family loved outdoor pursuits.
Statement from the Norbury family:
Brother Marcus: Jaisy is the glue in our family. He is the never ending source of positivity. He is Mumma’s ray of sunshine, Dad’s partner in crime and banter buddy, and his older brother’s role model. Jaisy’s objective at all times was to make his mum happy, his dad laugh and his brother proud. But most of all, he was a real mumma’s boy. My love for you Jaisy is immense, it’s deep down inside me. I see you everywhere I look and every time I close my eyes. You were everything to me, I feel empty without you. Going on in life without you is unimaginable, it’s heart-wrenching. What I would give to hold you one more time, hold you close to my heart and tell you that I love you, I love you, more than you could ever know.
Father Grant and mother Dale: To our darling young man, we’re in this river eddy right now holding your waka tight to our chest, but we have to push you out now my love into the current, back into the awa, to float you down to the moana, the open ocean. Dad’s waka, Mumma’s waka, and Marcy’s waka will follow you one day my love and we will join you my sweet darling boy. We love you Jaisy…… we love you.
Letters of condolences may be sent to PO BOX 176 Alexandra.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jeremy Norbury Youth Kayaking Fund: 02-0916-0038674-000 reference Jerm.
