A group of Victorian kids who are blind or have low vision have been able to catch their first waves while being treated to a professional surfing lesson by pro-surfer and gold medal-winning Paralympian Matt Formston.
Paddling out at UrbnSurf in Melbourne, young clients of Vision Australia were ecstatic to experience the water and waves.
Speaking to kids with similar vision conditions as him, Matt motivated participants onto the water by showing them that he learnt by feeling the waves and starting on his stomach at first, not relying on his sight.
“I know that a lot of people think blind and surfing are two words that shouldn’t really be said in the same sentence, but then when you actually think about it and put some context around it it’s a sport where you can fall and land in water,” he said.
“It’s one of the safest places for kids to play.”
Ethan, 11, who got Matt as his personal wave buddy on the day said he considered Matt a role model.
“If he can do the things he’s doing then I can achieve the things I want to achieve," Ethan said.
The lesson coincides with the launch of Surfing in the Dark, a new children’s book featuring Matt Formston’s incredible story.
Created by Vision Australia and published by Berbay Publishing, the book is designed to highlight underrepresented role models in the blindness and low vision community, and inspire youngsters to dream big.
You can purchase a copy of the book at the Vision Australia store