Yesterday something special in the waves that had arrived from across the ocean brought people together, new friends. Among the waves of Zarautz, Derek Rabelo and Aitor Francesena, who surf without sight, taught us something incredibly important.
Derek’s friend and professional surf photographer Bruno Lemos snapped the action from the shore as Aitor’s former surf student Axi Muniain, now a professional surfer, guided Derek and Aitor onto waves. A group of new friends blind-folded themselves to glimpse, or rather perceive, the experience of the blind men every time they paddle out. The sound, the crash of waves, learning how to duck dive, listening to friends’ instructions—surfing without sight becomes a completely new experience. One blindfolded surfer said, “I felt disorientated and surrounded by the crashing waves, it was terrifying!”
And in those moments of connecting and experiencing, we learned that what is often viewed as a “dis-ability” is actually an amazing ability to bring people together and to inspire us through life.
A wipe-out yesterday in Zarautz
Joseba Attard, founder of Cross Culture Surf, learning what it feels like, not looks like, to surf
Aitor Francesena “Gallo”, former trainer of Aritz Aranburu & Axi Muniain
Derek and Aitor enjoying the same wave
Axi Muniain capturing the action on video as he guides Aitor onto the waves
Words & Photo Editing: Jonathan McCallum
Photography by Renee Jenner
See the EITB news video here
