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Airdate: Heart of the Sea

Nat Geo People presents a doco about endurance kayaker who paddled from Coolangatta to Bondi Beach.

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Next month Nat Geo People presents Heart of the Sea, a documentary about endurance kayaker who paddled from Coolangatta to Bondi Beach for his foundation PACA (Paddle Against Child Abuse).

800km on a paddleboard propelled by hands through waters known for shark attacks. Washed across reefs. Sleeping in holes on the beach. Fatigue. Pain. Mental endurance. Solo, with no support crew and no one knowing your location for seventeen days.

Premiering December 19 at 7.30pm AEDT, Nat Geo People presents Heart of the Sea, the inspirational story of one man’s triumph over adversity; a man who was prepared to risk his life to find peace.

Every day, Australian Damien Rider is haunted by his childhood. He endured horrific circumstances which included rape and physical abuse. From the age of 6, Damien was left with no choice but to seek refuge under jetties and skate parks to hide from the abusing monsters that were chipping away at his soul. He was helpless.

Years into adulthood, Damien’s life continued to suffer with pain and flashbacks causing him to self-destruct and fracturing relationships.

Damien took matters into his own hands to find his peace, face his inner demons and aimed to inspire those who face the same daily battles. He set off on what many thought to be an impossible journey: paddling 800km solo with zero support crew for seventeen days on a paddle board– from his home in Coolangatta to Bondi Beach in Sydney.

He was alone with limited food and water, suffering fatigue, severe hunger and white pointer encounters; not a soul aware of where he was at any given time.

Paddling also for his foundation PACA (Paddle Against Child Abuse) Damien speaks of his entire 800km paddle, and the journey from a frightened child to an older man free of torment with a newfound spring in his step.

Damien faced unexplainable physical and mental fatigue day in and day out, but never once wavered from his dream – and documented it all via an on-board camera.

7.30pm Saturday December 19 on Nat Geo People.

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