A Tasmanian man died in Nepal last week on Humla Karnali, a known treacherous waterway for extreme kayaking in the Himalayas.
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Adrian Kiernan, a guide for adventure company Franklin River Rafting, was away with friend Louis Bissonnette who broke the news over Facebook.
“We were all having the time of our life until the river drastically decided to put an end to it,” Mr Bissonnette said.
“A man who lived life to the fullest, through his love for travelling and discovering new places, sparked at a young age by his loving family.
"Adrian, brother, we will all miss you so much, but we shall stay strong as we know you would.”
Mr Kiernan, 31, was named a national champion twice, in 2009 and 2011, for freestyle kayaking and was placed in a number of international and national extreme racing events during his time as a professional kayaker.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade would not comment on the specifics of the death other than to say it was providing consular assistance to the family and friends of an Australian man who had passed away in Nepal.
Facebook was flooded with tributes from the kayaking community around the world
Vagabond Kayaks owner Celliers Kruger, who had sponsored Mr Kiernan for several years wrote:
“When I paddled some rivers with him in Canada, I was in awe of his calm demeanor in the hairiest conditions.
“He lived life to the fullest, and it always made me happy to hear of his latest conquest in some odd corner of the earth.
“He leaves a huge hole in the larger kayaking community.”
Cumec Magazine, which featured Mr Kiernan on the cover of its December 2012 edition, wrote:
“Adrian, thanks for enriching the lives of so many and for what you gave back to our small paddling community in Australia and New Zealand.”