“Beyond Sight” is a film about courage and perseverance, faith and friendship. It is a new surf movie sure to dazzle and inspire.  Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Laird Hamilton, Lakey Peterson and Coco Ho are just a few athletes impressed by the courage of one particular Brazilian surfing star. Born blind, Derek Rabelo has overcome so many obstacles that dropping in at Pipeline is just another check off his list of accomplishments. The young superstar lights up the faces of everyone in the lineup and on the beach, so Walking on Water producers, Bryan Jennings and Bruno Lemos, are making a movie to tell the story of his journey.

Highlight clips of Derek dropping into Pipeline will be shown at a special evening event, Saturday, September 22nd, at the San Clemente Community Center in California, following the finals of the Hurley Pro at Trestles. Seats are limited, and all proceeds will go towards the production of this special movie. Click here for tickets and more info.

Derek Rabelo is the star of a new surf film about faith and courage. Photo: Beyond Sight Movie

The Walking on Water production crew with the stars of their new film. Photo: Beyond Sight Movie

Bravery at its finest, as blind surfer, Derek Rabelo, gets respect from the king of big waves, Laird Hamilton. Photo: Beyond Sight Movie

“Beyond Sight: The Derek Rabelo Story” is a film about courage and perseverance, faith and friendship. Check out the trailer:

Amidst the small beautiful city of Guarapari, Brazil, Derek Rabelo’s father prayed that his son would become a famous professional surfer. His father named his son after the legendary Pipeline surfer Derek Ho, the embodiment of his dream. Unfortunately on May 25th 1992, his prayer seemed unanswered when Derek was born blind. Seventeen years later Derek decided that despite his blindness he still wanted to surf and that he wanted to surf Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu. Through the encouragement of his parents, best friend, and surf coach, Derek embarked on a three-year journey of grueling mental, physical and spiritual training.

Kelly Slater and Derek Rabelo walk from Lower Trestles, both in town for a benefit party for “Beyond Sight.” Photo: TGlaser/Beyond Sight Movie

Feeling the lefts, the blind goofy-footer takes priority over Slater. How many surfers can say they’ve dropped in on him? Photo: Beyond Sight Movie

Join Derek as he perseveres towards his goal of surfing Pipeline and along the way inspires the best surfers in the world including Kelly Slater, Gerry Lopez, Tom Curren, Damien Hobgood, Derek Ho, Laird Hamilton, Lakey Peterson, Coco Ho, and the entire surfing world. You will learn from Derek’s story that the best journeys in life are walked by faith, and not by sight.

Nothing stops this determined athlete. Derek Rabelo dropping in for a fun ride. Photo: Beyond Sight Movie

Producers Bruno Lemos and Bryan Jennings are hosting a spectacular launch party with a sneak-peel preview of “Beyond Sight,” a live performance by Dominic Balli and dinner served by Wahoo’s Fish Tacos.

Kelly Slater and Derek Rabelo walk the famous train tracks in San Clemente, California. Photo: TGlaser/Beyond Sight Movie

Many special guests will be attending, including pro surfer Damien Hobgood, ASP World Tour Chaplain Abe Andrews and the Brazilian surfing stud himself, Derek Rabelo.  All proceeds from the event will benefit the production of this incredible film!     

ASP World Tour athletes Lakey Peterson and Coco Ho with Derek Rabelo in Huntington Beach, California. Photo: Beyond Sight Movie

When: Saturday, September 22nd @ 7pm

Location:  San Clemente Community Center- 100 North Calle Seville, San Clemente, CA 92672

Tickets:  Seats are limited: www.beyondsight.eventbrite.com   

 

Shannon Q (92 Posts)

Shannon Marie Quirk is the Head Editor of the TheSurfChannel.com. She is a sports journalist with Bachelors of Arts degrees in English and Spanish Literature from UCLA, trained as a photojournalist by the Los Angeles Times. A San Francisco native, Shannon is a surfer, snowboarder, photographer, and believes that athletes have a responsibility to take care of their playgrounds. She has spent the last three years in South America working as an environmental activist, while shredding the hemispheres.