The New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association and Central Otago Whitewater - both recreational kayaking organisations, joined forces to present evidence to the tribunal.
The groups were supporting moves to ban damming or diversion of the river.
Eight kayakers, ranging from teenagers to those with more than 30 years' experience in the sport, gave evidence about the history of the sport, the future of kayaking in New Zealand, the loss of kayaking rivers to hydro electricity schemes and their experiences on the Nevis.
Conservation spokesman for the association, Glenn Murdoch, of Wanaka, said kayaking the Nevis was the ultimate trip.
"It is considered an absolute epic trip, available only to the best paddlers," he said.
Unlike most top kayaking rivers, the Nevis was accessible by vehicle, had easy sections to portage (carrying the kayak around a rapid) and contained many challenging rapids up to grade 5 in difficulty.
Grade 6 rapids are seen as being unnavigable.
The Nevis was one of seven rivers the association was fighting to save hydro-electric development, he said.
"These are just the ones we know are coming. There are plenty more that we know are being considered [for hydro development] but we don't yet know when they will be proposed."
Wanaka kayaker Roy Bailey said it was impossible to put into words how he felt about the river.
"The Nevis river is a living, almost breathing, thing. It rises and falls, changes, has moods and you'd better hope you get it on a good day," Mr Bailey said.
"The Nevis river is the jewel in the crown of kayaking rivers in Otago and it is not a renewable resource," he said.
And young kayakers made their plea to save the river for future generations.
Hayden Dickey (15), of Wanaka, and Finn Butcher (14), of Alexandra, said their goal was to paddle rivers like the Nevis.
"By damming rivers the dreams of many young kayakers in New Zealand are shattered," Finn said.
Mr Murdoch is so passionate about the Nevis, he plans to name his unborn daughter, after the river.
He and his partner Natalie Kerr have decided their daughter's second name will be Nevis.
The baby is due in August.
Mr Murdoch introduced the tribunal to his daughter via an ultrasound picture and said he could not wait to introduce her to "the joy of free-flowing rivers in New Zealand."
