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Important update on 1476AMFrom rapids to red carpets: Kiwi Olympian's shock Hollywood call-up with Charlize Theron
Stephen Foote • April 30th, 2026 3:07 pm
Luuka Jones &b Charlize Theron | Photo: Instagram/@luukajones
As a five-time Olympian, Kiwi paddler Luuka Jones-Yaxley is no stranger to primetime.
But recently, those bright lights took on a much different nature, as the Rio 2016 silver medallist was called up as a stunt double for Hollywood superstar on Netflix's recently released thriller ''Apex'.
Theron plays a grieving woman "pushing her limits on a solo adventure in the Australian wilderness, and Jones' expertise in the whitewater proved invaluable in navigating some often treacherous waters.
It was an opportunity Jones-Yaxley admits seemed too outlandish to be taken seriously.
"I just got this text out of the blue from a friend down the South Island who does a lot of safety coordination, water safety for film sets, and he texts me asking if I was available for this project, and it just seemed so far-fetched that I thought it was a bit of a joke," Jones-Yaxley told Sport Nation Mornings.
"Obviously said yes, didn't hear back for a little bit and then yeah next thing I was on a plane with (Kiwi extreme kayak world champ) River Mutton from Okere Falls and we're heading down to the West Coast to be Charlize Theron's stunt kayakers."
Luuka Jones & Charlize Theron | Photo: Instagram/@luukajones
The quality of whitewater in New Zealand meant the majority of Jones-Yaxley's scenes were shot in Aotearoa, alongside some artificial flatwaters on the other side of the Tasman.
Film set logistics allowed the 37-year-old Tauranga product helicopter access to some of her bucket-list rapids in the South Island, most of which were essentially otherwise inaccessible without a "10-hour hike carrying 30kg of gear".
As for Theron, Jones-Yaxley had nothing but positives when describing the veteran actor's down-to-earth nature, and the same applied for her co-star, Aussie Taron Egerton.
"I remember turning up on set and seeing Charlize for the first time and she looks like a movie star, but she was actually just sitting in a camping chair bare feet, just hanging out between shots.
"She was so nice. A bit of a potty mouth really, loved to crack a joke, but then you'd see her switch into like this performance state and she'd be in her zone visualising.
"She was just really cool to hang out with and talk to, and just very real. I thought that she'd be quite precious and untouchable, but she wasn't."
Luuka Jones & River Mutton | Photo: Instagram/@luukajones
Jones-Yaxley said she was equally impressed by the Oscar winner's ability to replicate her paddling technique, although it wasn't as straightforward as she'd expected to be.
"She would watch me and try and emulate my style, and she was so good at doing that. I guess that's why she is who she is and such a great actor.
"Then I would just give her some tips or there might be a few scenes, especially on the whitewater in Penrith, she needed a bit of technical guidance and support to navigate the white water and not get injured.
"She's an adventure junkie but she said she underestimated the kayaking piece. She thought it would be pretty easy to just get in a boat and paddle.
"I guess it was good for us because we got a lot of opportunities in the film, but I don't think she'll be doing another kayaking feature."
Listen to the full interview below:
