Surfing Without Sight At Santa Claus Lane

Read original article by David Powdrell here: ​https://www.edhat.com/news/surfing-without-sight-at-santa-claus-lane/

August 20, 2025- On a recent Saturday morning at Santa Claus Lane Beach, I had the privilege of photographing something extraordinary—blind or visually impaired surfers riding the waves.
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Organized by the nonprofit Blind Fitness in collaboration with Surf Happens and WayFinder, the event brought children and adults together to experience the ocean in a way most of us can barely imagine.

​Surfing is challenging enough with sight, but these athletes rely on touch, sound, balance, and trust. Volunteers guided them into position, coaches cheered encouragement, and then, with determination and joy, they launched into the surf. The result was pure inspiration.

As I stood behind the camera, I kept thinking: what if the rest of us tried surfing blind? Close your eyes the next time you paddle out.
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You’ll hear the rhythm of the waves differently, feel the board shift beneath your feet, and sense the ocean’s pull in a more primal way. That’s what these surfers do every time—they transform what most would call a limitation into a celebration of courage.

The beach that morning wasn’t just filled with surfboards and splashes. It was filled with laughter, resilience, and proof that adventure belongs to everyone.