DAMIEN Rider’s arms need to be pretty strong. Not just because he has set himself the task of paddling from Coolangatta to Bondi on a paddleboard, but because he is raising awareness of one of society’s heaviest issues, child abuse.
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It is a pain he understands all too well, coming from a childhood dominated by a violence which saw him seeking shelter in rock caves and under jetties. As an adult, Damien has finally found his peace thanks to the ocean, and has distanced himself from mainstream child abuse support organisations whom he believes are not adequately dealing with the problem.
Instead, he has founded Paddle Against Child Abuse (PACA) to raise onshore the topic of child abuse and neglect. He has set PACA’s ultimate goal to establish a beachfront safe house, helping abused children rebuild themselves through ocean sports, trade and business skills, and health and fitness. He would also like the therapeutic oceanic safe house to become a place of familial remediation, away from what he perceives to be the harsh stale environments currently provided.
In support of this vision, Damien left Coolangatta on January 3, and propelled by his hands is paddling approximately 50km a day on his paddleboard until he lands at Bondi Beach. Along the journey, he welcomes anyone for a chat or a paddle.
“I am simply letting those in need know that there is someone out there going to extreme lengths to show there is light at the end of the tunnel, and there is someone who is there for them.”
Damien will arrive at Forster’s Main Beach late afternoon on January 12, heading off from the Forster Surf Life Saving Club at 5am the next day.
