Sight is a wonderful thing. Of all of our senses–each so incredibly, mysteriously magical on their own–sight is, perhaps, the most incredible. How do these tiny jelly filled orbs stuck in the middle of our faces turn light into discernible shapes and colors? I’m aware of the science behind it, but rods and cones don’t make it any less incredible. If anything, in fact, it makes it more incredible. Science is often just proof that magic is real, I think.
For Aitor “Gallo” Francesena, sight has never been a given. Born with a genetic disease that took part of his vision early on, he grew up learning to adapt. He also grew up surfing. Now, at 44, the Basque surfer is completely blind.
“Three years ago,” he explained, “I had an accident that made me blind. I thought it would be impossible to surf.” Turns out, though, that surfing is much more than just seeing–it’s a beautiful mashup that involves all of our senses, and Francesena’s remaining ones were up to the task.
On a trip to the Wavegarden last month, despite not being able to see, after a very short period of time, he wrapped a few turns that would make anyone happy. “It was such an incredible experience,” said Gallo afterwards. “If you could open up my head, thousands of love hearts would fly away.”
