The driver of the jet boat involved in a fatal accident during the World Championship Jet Boat Marathon in Canterbury is said to be struggling to deal with the incident that killed his "best friend."
Dwayne Terry was driving the jet boat that was navigated by Duayne Insley, who died in the accident, on the Waimakariri River on Sunday morning.
"It's a really unfortunate situation for him to be in because he was the driver," River Racing New Zealand president John Derry says.
"Duane was his best friend and they've had an accident together.
"He's struggling [but] we're all there for him and doing the best we can to help him and everyone else get through this."
Police say they are still investigating the cause of the accident but racing was suspended on Monday out of respect for the racing community and families involved in the accident.
However Mr Derry says some competitors spent the day out of the water to clear their heads.
He adds accidents in the river racing world are "very rare" but everyone involved in the sport knows the risks.
"It's motorsport and all motorsport comes with a risk, we try not think about it but we all know it is there," he says.
"For our sport, the best way to describe it is rally on water.
"There are obstacles in the river as there are on the road that you don't know that's there that pop up from time to time."
Mr Insley lived in Glenorchy near Queenstown and was well-known in the racing community.
His step daughter posted to Facebook to describe the role and influence he had on her.
"Thank you for making my mum the happiest I've ever seen her," said.
"And thank you for bringing joy, laughter and a life time of memories to the last ten years.
"The 'step' in step dad implies you were somehow less of a dad to me than my own because you arrived a little late. Well I know for sure this is not the case."
Scheduled racing will continue as per normal on Tuesday with the next leg starting on the Rakaia River.
The week-long championship began on Saturday, with competitions being held across eight rivers around the South Island.
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