Surfer relies on his heightened sense of hearing to navigate the sea and stand up at the right time to ride wave


A fearless surfer showcased his incredible ability to tackle extreme waves - despite being blind.

Derek Rabelo, who was named after the first Hawaiian world surfing champion Derek Ho, was born blind due to glaucoma.

The condition meant that the dreams of his surfing-mad father were put on hold, despite the 23-year-old Brazilian always wanting to experience the thrill of the sport.

Destiny: Derek Rabelo was born blind due to glaucoma but said he always wanting to experience the thrill of surfing the oceans

Natural: Named after the first Hawaiian world surfing champion Derek Ho, the surfer realized his dream by taking to the waves aged 17

At the age of 17 he decided to turn his hopes, and those of his dad, into reality and took to the sea armed with a surf board.

Derek relies on his heightened sense of hearing to navigate the oceans - as demonstrated in the video of him timing exactly when to stand up on his board.

Captured at Lowers Beach in California, the surfer is at first filmed standing on the shore with his cane and board.

He is later seen tackling the crystal clear walls of water head on.

Derek said: 'If you have a dream, you have to believe in yourself, otherwise you can't do it.

Support: Derek revealed that his dad encouraged him to pursue the sport by going to the ocean with him and sending him on a surf course

Gifted: Derek relies on his heightened sense of hearing to navigate the extreme waves of the ocean and stand up at exactly the right time

'I believe all of us have strong senses given by God which should be used with passion and perseverance.

'I listen to the ocean and feel it. Every single part of a wave makes different noises so I can decide which side of the wave I should surf towards.'

Derek revealed that his dad encouraged him to pursue the sport by going to the ocean with him most mornings and also sent him on a surf course.

'I have also practised a lot with my friends,' he said. 'They always consider me just like one of them.'

Ability: The surfer was filmed standing on the shore was his cane and board before tackling the crystal clear walls of water head on