17-Year-Old Idaho Kayaker Dies in Austria; Community Mourns Campbell Kowalczyk

A 17-year-old Idaho kayaker has been mourned by friends, family, and the broader outdoor community after drowning during a kayaking trip in Austria. Campbell Kowalczyk, a high school student from Boise, died Tuesday near Lofer, a small town near the German border. His death has sent shockwaves through his community, with school officials, peers, and fellow athletes expressing grief over the loss of a young man described as energetic, kind, and deeply connected to the water.

Principal Deb Watts of Boise High School shared the news with parents in an email, calling the tragedy "heartbreaking" and acknowledging the emotional toll it would take on students who knew Campbell. "Our thoughts are with Campbell's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," Watts wrote, according to the Idaho Statesman. The email marked the first public acknowledgment of the incident, though details about the circumstances of Campbell's death remain limited.

Campbell's older brother, Mateo Kowalczyk, 19, took to Instagram to honor his sibling, sharing a slideshow of family photos and heartfelt words. "Words can't explain how deeply grateful I am for the 17 years we had together," Mateo wrote. "I couldn't have asked for a better brother. If you knew Campbell like I did, you saw the hilarious, loving kid that always had your back." The post, which included images of the brothers standing beside their kayaks, underscored the deep bond the two shared. Both were avid kayakers, with Mateo competing at a professional level since 2022.

The brothers' shared passion for the sport was evident in their public appearances. In December, they posted a video of themselves training on the Payette River, fearlessly navigating rapids in their respective kayaks—Campbell's yellow and Mateo's blue. Mateo, who recently placed second in the junior men's freestyle category at the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Germany, has long been a fixture in the competitive kayaking scene. His tribute to Campbell, however, was tinged with personal sorrow. "I'll see you downstream, brother," he wrote, a phrase that resonated with fans and fellow athletes alike.

The outpouring of support for the Kowalczyk family has been overwhelming. Hundreds of messages flooded Mateo's Instagram post, with strangers and close friends alike expressing condolences. One user wrote, "Our family is heartbroken for your family and I know the local outdoor community is sincerely mourning your loss. Campbell lived a very big life in the short time he had." Another noted, "So many lives have been touched by Campbell, you, and your parents. The whole community is with you in spirit. Campbell will be deeply missed. Keep him alive in your heart, Mateo."

As Mateo begins his freshman year at Montana State University, he has asked well-wishers to send letters to his dorm, a gesture that highlights the enduring impact Campbell had on those around him. For now, the Kowalczyk family and their community are left to grapple with the sudden loss of a young man whose life was defined by adventure, camaraderie, and an unshakable love for the water.