Olympic Slalom Star Luuka Jones-Yaxley Transitions to Hollywood as Stunt Double in Netflix Action Thriller

Five-time Kiwi Olympian Luuka Jones-Yaxley doubles for Charlize Theron in the new Netflix thriller 'Apex.' Learn about her leap from Paris to Hollywood.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 5:27 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from RNZ and Netflix Publicity.

The Transition from Elite Podium to Cinematic Stunts

Following a distinguished two-decade career in canoe slalom that concluded with a fifth-place finish at the Paris Olympics, Luuka Jones-Yaxley initially struggled with the transition to "civilian life." The athlete, who earned a silver medal for New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Games, found herself navigating a quiet administrative role before receiving an unexpected text message in November 2024. A contact in film safety coordination proposed a role as a stunt double for an upcoming Netflix production, a career pivot that Jones-Yaxley admits she initially viewed with skepticism. However, by January 2025, she was being helicoptered into remote regions of the South Island to begin filming high-stakes action sequences that utilized her world-class technical skills.

Executing High-Risk Rapids on the West Coast

The production of the action thriller Apex utilized some of New Zealand’s most challenging natural environments, including wild rivers near Hokitika, Haast, and Wānaka. Working alongside fellow extreme kayaker River Mutton, Jones-Yaxley was tasked with navigating dangerous rapids that represented the film's "deadly game of cat and mouse" narrative. These scenes required a unique blend of elite athleticism and performative acting, as Jones-Yaxley had to intentionally abandon her polished Olympic technique to simulate a character "paddling for her life." The 10-day shoot on the West Coast provided a bridge between her retired sporting identity and a new professional focus in the film industry.

Collaboration and Coaching with Charlize Theron

On set, Jones-Yaxley worked closely with Charlize Theron, providing both physical stunt doubling and technical coaching for the actor's own whitewater scenes. Theron, known for her hands-on approach to action roles, performed a significant portion of the film's rock climbing and swimming but acknowledged the necessity of professional intervention for the kayaking segments. In official promotional materials, Theron credited the "Olympic level" skills of the New Zealand team, admitting that despite being a strong swimmer, she struggled with the complexities of river navigation. Jones-Yaxley described the Hollywood star as a "perfectionist" who demonstrated a remarkable ability to emulate the style and technique of professional paddlers.