A world-class kayaker and Kiwi expat has died in an accident on a North Carolina river.

Maria Noakes, 50, was paddling the Cheoah River with her 12-year-old son Matteo and two of his friends when something went wrong, according to the Citizen-Times.

Noakes is a mother-of-two and was originally from Waipu.

The family posted to social media that her boat was found pinned on the right side of the river, but they will never know exactly what had happened.

Friend Juliet Kastorff told the Citizen-Times Noakes was probably one of the best boaters in the world.

"Whatever happened was a fluke. For her it was an easy river. The Cheoah for her was like her backyard, she had been paddling it for 10 years.

"She was paddling with people who she was responsible for and she didn't take that lightly."

Noakes was a member of the national freestyle kayak team for many years before moving to Bryson City in the United States in 1996 with her husband.

She represented New Zealand in the 2013 Freestyle Kayak World Championships.

A message on Noakes' Facebook page said:

"Our dear and loved friend Maria died today kayaking the Cheoah. She was with three super star paddlers. The water level was normal. It happened below Python. Her boat was found pinned against river right. She was found downstream.

"We will never know exactly what happened. She is in our hearts and minds in this extremely challenging time. We mourn for this loss and our hearts reach out for her two boys Dominique and Matteo, and her husband Nick.

"Today a very special person was taken from our community."

New Zealand kayaker Courtney Kerin posted an emotional tribute to Noakes on Instagram calling her the "best friend anyone could dream of".

"I will never forget the first time I met you Maria, when you ran down the banks of the Nantahala, NC while I was competing as just a teenager," the post read.

"You were yelling "KIWI, KIWI!!!" And by the end of my ride we were best friends!

"We met by chance and you proved to be the raddest kiwi ever! You took me in, showed me nothing but love even as a stranger!

"I'm so proud of you in everything you have done and certainly look up to you as a female outdoors role model! You will always be my hero and in my heart!

"And I will miss you always!!"