Beyond Sight Screening with Derek Rabelo


When: Sunday 5th October 2014, 19:00 for 19:30
Where: Arnolfini, Bristol

Beyond Sight Europe Poster Sep


Blind Surfer’s Passion Goes ‘Beyond Sight’


Walking On Water Films, Christian Surfers Europe and S4J Hawaii Productions bring blind surfer Derek Rabelo and the movie of his story, Beyond Sight, to seven countries as part of a European tour.

When the odds are stacked, you can give up or face the challenges head on with determination to succeed. One young surfer is making waves in the surf community for doing just beyond sight 1that.  Walking on Water Films, a San Diego-based nonprofit organisation and S4J Hawaii Productions have completed production of Beyond Sight: The Derek Rabelo Story, and there will be the rare opportunity to meet Derek himself as he appears throughout Europe with this initial tour of the movie.

Derek Rabelo’s father prayed that his unborn son would become a professional surfer, naming the boy after legendary surfer Derek Ho. However, the father’s aspirations for his son were shattered as Derek was born blind on May 25th 1992. But this physical hindrance did not stop the Brazilian boy from pushing past his disability to make his dreams come true. At 17 years old, Rabelo embarked on a three-year journey of rigorous training that stretched him mentally, physically and spiritually.

Proving that nothing is impossible, the 20-year-old surfed Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii - a challenging surf destination for even the most skilled surfers.

"Being born blind did not stop Derek from his dream to surf Pipeline.  His story has encouraged me and it will inspire this generation!" said pro surfer Bethany Hamilton.

“Pipeline is basically the ultimate wave in a lot of ways - just a short, intense, dangerous wave that’s close to the beach,” said Kelly Slater, an 11-time World Champion surfer. “Many surfers with sight do not venture out even after they see that others can do it. With no eyesight, you’re literally in the moment of what the feel is, right at that second, and that is all Derek had as he surfed Pipeline.”  

beyond sight2Professional surfer Laird Hamilton added, “Pipeline is one of the most dangerous waves in the world. And when you know what you’re doing and have perfectly good eyes, you can die. When Derek went out to Pipeline and surfed, the angels were busy that day.”

More than 500,000 people have already gotten a glimpse of Rabelo’s surfing prowess from YouTube clips, but Walking on Water founder Bryan Jennings was determined to complete production on the feature.

From Rabelo recounting his humble upbringings in Guarapari, Brazil, to his new-found friendships with surfing legends, this captivating story will demonstrate how faith can lift us over even the most insurmountable hurdles in our lives.   “It’s just a feat to catch a wave; then to actually stand up and angle in a certain direction, those are big accomplishments. So for Derek to actually surf one of the heaviest waves in the world (Pipeline) is unbelievable, he has definitely inspired me,” said Kelly Slater.

Rabelo is an inspiration to all whom he encounters including some of the best surfers in the world like Bethany Hamilton, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Tom Curren, Damien Hobgood, Derek Ho, Lakey Peterson and Coco Ho - all of whom appear in Beyond Sight.

Through September and early October, Derek and friends Claudia & Bruno Lemos, Christian Surfers Europe and other strategic partners will be taking the movie to Switzerland, beyond sight 3Germany, Holland, Portugal, Spain, France and the UK.

To find a showing near you, view the trailer and get more information about Beyond Sight, visit  www.beyondsightmovie.com

Derek has already been inspiring audiences in Switzerland and Munich, Germany ( where he also rode the river wave) , Holland, and will be heading next to Southern Europe ending up in the UK with four dates in early October in Newquay, Bristol, London and Swansea, in conjunction with ‘The Wave’, Surf Relief UK, and supported by ‘Wave Project’.

Tickets for the UK dates are on sale via the website www.beyondsightmovie.com and Event Brite www.eventbrite.co.uk