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SYDNEY - Missing kayaker Andrew McAuley lived for adventure and the desire to make the impossible seem possible to inspire others, his wife says.
Mr McAuley, 39, was within 35 nautical miles (65km) of Milford Sound on the South Island when he is believed to have drowned after
his kayak capsized while he was asleep on February 9.
He would have been the first person to paddle across the Tasman Sea, having set off from Tasmania on January 11.
The adventurer was to be remembered at a memorial service at the Macquarie Lighthouse at Vaucluse in Sydney today.
In the last of her regular posts on Mr McAuley's website, Vicki McAuley paid tribute to her husband, who was also a dedicated rock climber and mountaineer.
Her post is accompanied by the last image of Mr McAuley, taken from a camera retrieved from his kayak.
"Andrew was not found, yet his spirit will live on forever. In my mind, he achieved his goal," she writes.
"Ant, you live for adventure, and you've just had the most incredible adventure this time. We were with you all the way!
"You have lived life to the fullest, and you'll live on in our hearts forever!"
Mrs McAuley praised the effort of the New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre, the Te Anau police, the Australian government and "all the wonderful New Zealand local people".
She said that her husband's achievements in adventuring were "without parallel" as he strove to be an inspiration for others.
"Whilst being driven by the challenge of making the impossible possible, much of Andrew's motivation was also based on inspiring others to get up and have a go at exploring their own limits," she writes.
"He was, and will continue to be, an inspiration to others in their own personal endeavours."
The website entry contrasts sharply with her last entry, dated February 8, in which she wrote excitedly about Andrew's imminent arrival in New Zealand.
"With only 120km to go, Andrew claims he'll see us 'Sunday 9am sharp!?!"' she wrote.
"His friends all know that he's not renowned for his punctuality, but here's hoping!!"
A documentary made from video footage and photographs retrieved from the kayak will be presented to the family. It will reportedly shed some light on what happened to the adventurer.
The Kayak's designer, Paul Hewitson, told Fairfax newspapers the documentary would be Mr McAuley's last gift to his family.
Mr Hewitson said the video footage and photographs recovered from the kayak had helped him to understand what happened.
"I've worked out what happened, down to one or two of the finer points," he said.
"I know from this video he is saying, 'This is the hardest thing I've ever done. I've never pushed myself so hard."'
Mr Hewitson said Mr McAuley had found the journey physically "very, very, very hard".
- AAP
