Beyond Sight: The Derek Rabelo Story

In the picturesque town of Guarapari, Brazil, Derek Rabelo’s father hoped his son would achieve fame as a professional surfer. However, on May 25th, 1992, this dream seemed dashed when Derek was born without sight. Seventeen years later, Derek resolved to pursue surfing despite his blindness, setting his sights on conquering Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore. With the support of his parents, his closest friend, and his surf coach, Derek embarked on a challenging three-year journey of intense mental, physical, and spiritual preparation. As Derek steadfastly worked towards his ambition of surfing Pipeline, he became an inspiration to some of the world’s top professional surfers, including Kelly Slater, Damien Hobgood, Rob Machado, Lakey Peterson, Taj Burrow, and Laird Hamilton, all of whom appear in the film. Derek’s story teaches us that the most rewarding journeys in life are guided by faith rather than sight.