This was the note posted on facebook from Dave Manby and Peter Knowles:

Ian Beecroft – sad news.

I am terribly sad to have to tell everyone that our friend Ian Beecroft has died whilst kayaking the Tsrarap Chu in Ladakh, India, on Sunday 2nd September. The limited information that we have is that Ian drowned on the Tsarap Chu downstream of Phugtal Monastery and some 40km from the village and small district centre of Padum. The rest of the team are well and we are told that his body has been recovered and is now being repatriated. We do not know the circumstances of the accident.

Ian was leading a small team of international kayakers on an expedition down the Tsarap Chu and then on through the Grand Canyon of the Zanskar. This is one of the World’s classic long white water rivers expeditions – an 8 day trip 200km with some class 4 and 5 white water, all self supported in one of the most remote and spectacular parts of the Himalayas.

Ian was a vastly experienced white water kayaker – he had paddled many of the major rivers of the Himalayas and was the co-author of the guidebook ‘White Water South Alps’. He shared his love of rivers through this forum under “croft” and many kayakers all over the World will have paddled with him and enjoyed his enthusiasm for life - a life that sadly is no more. We grieve for him and our hearts and thoughts go out to his wife and family.

Dave Manby and Peter Knowles.

We didn't know each other that well and we only met every couple of years, but whenever we did, I always felt the joy of meeting a true friend. I deeply respect the way he was able to model his life around paddling and give a lot back to the sport.

I've known Ian from my first paddling days in 1995, and when we started Playak late 1996 Ian soon became one of the first contributors and supporters.

Ian's Playak profile: playak.com/user.php?userid=4391

Ian, I'll miss you my friend.

Oh yes, I remember him from the forums. Truly terrible news.. Jeesh.. My condolences to all who knew him.