Grant Denyer’s Whitewater Stunt Ends in Tsunami Disaster

SYDNEY : Logie award-winning presenter Grant Denyer has come face-to-face with his “worst nightmare” during a high-octane segment for the hit .

In the latest episode, Denyer was challenged by two-time world champion slalom canoeist and Australian Olympian Noémie Fox to tackle a treacherous whitewater course. While Denyer is known for his daring personality, he admitted before hitting the water that the stunt hit a personal nerve.

“As the only one here who has a genuine fear of drowning, this is like my worst nightmare,” Denyer confessed during a pre-stunt crash course.

Grant was already in a panic.

The fear proved prophetic. Despite practicing emergency rolls, Denyer was overwhelmed when he hit the rapids. Attempting to navigate a surge, the presenter lost control of his kayak in a spectacular wipeout.

“I think I got too much air from paddling too hard,” a breathless Denyer explained after being pulled from the water. “I rode the lip of an oncoming tsunami and launched it into the air and lost balance. I have a real fear of being held underwater, and I was genuinely scared.”

TopKnotz hosts, from left, Miguel Maestre, Grant Denyer, Felicity Palmateer, Rob Palmer and Tom Williams.

While Denyer was reeling from the adrenaline, Noémie Fox remained characteristically composed. The Olympian noted that the mishap might have been avoided if the presenter had stuck to the script.

“I told him to put his paddle up, but he didn’t follow instructions,” Fox laughed, praising Denyer’s willingness to attempt the feat despite his phobia.

The incident is just one of many “ridiculous” high-stakes challenges featured in the new series. TopKnotz airs Thursdays at 8.30pm.