Jetboat rescuers pick up missing kayaker

Police Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers have picked up a kayaker who spent the night on the banks of the Waimakariri River in Canterbury.

The Christchurch kayaking guide's party of five - two male guides and three female clients - got into trouble yesterday afternoon when one of the women lost her kayak.

The women and one of the guides made it safely to shore, but the second guide disappeared while trying to retrieve the capsized kayak.

Police SAR co-ordinator Sergeant Tony Tully said the man had been picked up by a jetboat above the Hamilton rapids about an hour up-river from Springfield.

He had spent the night there.

Mr Tully said communications in the area were "atrocious" but he'd had a brief report about 11.15am that the kayaker had been picked up.

"He's located, he's fine and they're heading out," he said.

Mr Tully said the man had been well-equipped for an unscheduled overnight stay with thermals and a dry sleeping bag.

He was earlier understood to be in good health and none the worse for his experience.

- NZPA