12/03/2015
Such a sad day for the New Zealand White Water Community especially those from Okere Falls! Our sincere thoughts go out to all of you who knew Louise Jull especially her family! Such a talented woman has been loss and her absence I know will be felt. Kia Kaha! Arohanui the Rafting New Zealand whanau!
The family of kayaker Louise Jull, who died on the Kaituna River near Rotorua, have paid tribute to her and acknowledged the help and support of the local community and searchers. As well as being a dedicated sportswoman Louise was teaching at Western Heights High School and will no doubt be missed by many.
Her parents, Adrian and Liz Jull, and her older siblings Malcolm, Heather and Isobelle, have issued the following tribute:
"Louise was a white water and extreme kayaker of international reputation. The 2015 Kaituna and Wairoa extreme kayaking women’s section was won by Louise and a second place was gained in the Citreon race in Otago just recently. Louise lived at Okere Falls and enjoyed the opportunities for kayaking that Lake Rotoiti and the Kaituna River provided. Louise was a well respected integral part of the Okere Falls, and indeed New Zealand, kayak community. Early kayaking days were focussed on white water slalom kayaking in which Louise represented New Zealand internationally. A positive role model for women in sport and a strong advocate for women in kayaking.
“Louise had started on a career in secondary teaching at a local Rotorua high school this year. Teaching young paddlers was an extra activity that Louise took great pleasure in; this will be one of her legacies to kayaking. Yesterday Louise was paddling a lower section of the Kaituna River that she had paddled a number of times without mishap. The incident was a chance accident involving a highly skilled paddler practicing her sport. The two paddlers with her were very experienced, but despite their efforts they were unable to retrieve the situation. The family acknowledges a deep gratitude to the two other paddlers and to the wider community who turned out to assist in the search and rescue this morning."
