Pyranha, Orton's kayak manufacturer, had reported his disappearance in the southern Ticino canton of Switzerland earlier this month. The 29-year-old had built up a huge following prior to his death showcasing his adventures on Instagram, where he racked up 60,000 followers.

"While kayaking with a group on the Melezza River in Switzerland, Bren became trapped in a recirculating feature and did not resurface,” a statement said. "Authorities and friends are tirelessly continuing their search efforts.”

In a statement on May 30, they added: “Shortly before 1pm in Locarno, the lifeless body of the man who disappeared on 16 May while kayaking in the Melezza was found in the waters of Lake Maggiore. The alarm was triggered by a sailor who found the body in the water and immediately notified the emergency services.”

Orton had navigated through some of the world's most remote and challenging locations, establishing the British record for the longest kayak drop (128 feet) at Mexico's Big Banana Falls.

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A post shared by Bren Orton (@bren.orton)

In a interview with Paddling Life last year, he expressed his "biggest goal" as striving to become "the smoothest, sickest kayaker that I can be," clarifying that he's not fixated on competition or winning medals.

Former kayaker James Reeves paid tribute to Orton’s, writing on Facebook, “Every few years we seem to lose a friend to our sport. Each loss is tough, and this one cuts deep.

“Bren Orton was an incredible human. From his teenage years, his warm smile and friendly nature shone as brightly as his kayaking skills … I was privileged to briefly mentor Bren in his early years, and then watched in awe as he rose to became one of the greatest whitewater kayakers ever.”