New Discovery Channel series “Pacific Warriors” highlights Kayak Fishing

Beneath the pristine waters of Hawaii, ancient volcanoes have forged steep underwater cliffs, resulting in the best deep-sea fishing in the world. For centuries, generations of Hawaiians have caught these monster fish from small, hand-made canoes, using nothing more than a fishing pole and their bare hands. Now, a rare breed of men and women – armed with just a sea kayak – are re-inventing this ancient art, and risking their lives to catch 100-plus pound fish. One fresh catch can reel in $1,500 dollars or more; but big rewards bring stiff competition. PACIFIC WARRIORS, an all-new series premiering Friday, October 23, at 10 PM ET/PT on the Discovery Channel, follows these brave adventurers who will stop at nothing to bring in their prize. The series is produced by Original Media.

Though these men and women survive and thrive by living off the ocean, kayak fishing is not for the faint of heart; even the slightest mistake can invite deadly consequences. The series follows seven teams as they train and battle it out on the rough waters. Using primitive means, the fearless fishermen and women are regularly taken on what they call "Hawaiian Sleigh Rides," which occur when they hook monster fish that drag them out to sea – sometimes as much as 10 miles or more. They also fend off sharks regularly, deeming them "tax men," which are looking for an easy meal.

Each fishing expert brings his or her own techniques and expertise to the craft. Veteran fisherwoman Kimi Werner’s style of kayak fishing is one of the most dangerous. Unlike the others, Kimi goes straight to the source by “free diving” to depths of 150 feet, where she hunts down her prey.

“Though being brave is part of the job, having an appropriate amount of fear and trepidation is healthy, and is what keeps me alive,” Kimi said. “It reminds me that I’m really so small and humbled in this big ocean. I think the people who forget that are the ones who end up in danger.”

The last pioneers of this ancient art face brutal conditions and bloodthirsty predators. Man versus fish is in their DNA; despite the risks, Pacific Warriors live for the moment when they hook their catch.

PACIFIC WARRIORS is produced for Discovery Channel by Original Media. For Original Media, Executive Producers are Glenda Hersh, Steven Weinstock, Lisa Bloch, Peter Goetz, Kelly Hefner and Bryan Severance. For Discovery Channel, Executive Producers are Joseph Schneier and Christo Doyle. To learn more, go to www.discovery.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/discovery and on Twitter @Discovery. 

About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. For 30 years Discovery has been dedicated to satisfying curiosity and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its global television brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery controls Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

About Original Media
Original Media is a subsidiary of Endemol Shine North America and is run by Emmy award-winning producers Glenda Hersh and Steven Weinstock. Producing hundreds of hours of programming across unscripted and scripted television, digital media and feature film, Original Media has built a strong reputation for cutting-edge content and quality production. Hit series include “Swamp People,” “Dual Survival,” “Ink Master,” “Comic Book Men” and “I Love You But I Lied.” Original Media also produced the Academy Award-nominated films “The Squid and the Whale” and “Half Nelson.”