Fighting Fear (ATOM Study Guide)

Mark Mathews is a big-wave surfer. He dreams of being the best. Richie Vaculik, Mark's best mate shares his love of big-wave surfing but has his own ambitions. A carpet layer by day, Richie dreams of becoming a MMA cage-fighting champion. Both are fearless, living life on the edge, daring each other to surf bigger waves, party harder and take greater risks. But when their adrenalin-seeking antics and hardened partying turns sour, it sets in motion a dramatic and life-changing series of events that threatens to derail everything they have worked so hard for.

In an instant, Mark's big-wave surfing career is in tatters and Richie is facing a jail term. But for these two friends, giving up is not an option. It's not the mistakes you make but how you overcome them. Their unwavering friendship gives them the courage to battle their demons, rise up from their troubled past and conquer their fears.

Fighting Fear provides a candid insight into the tumultuous life of two world-class athletes facing against-all-odds personal challenges. As a curriculum resource, the film expands and enriches students' understanding of human experiences.

This study guide to accompany Fighting Fear, a feature docu-drama by Macario De Souza, has been written for secondary students in Years 10–12. It provides information and suggestions for learning activities in English, Health, Media, Personal Development, Physical Education and student welfare programs.

Fighting Fear is rated M and has a running time of 90 minutes.