SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The best disabled surfers in the world put their talents on display in La Jolla on Saturday. The surfers were competing in the final round of the 2020 Amp Surf Championships.
Australian, Matthew Formston, took home his third world championship. Formston said, “I have competed for my country in a few different sports, but surfing is my love. I started surfing when I was five. It is where I find the most joy in my life. To be able to do it for my country is an honor.”
Formston is legally blind and relies on his partner, Adam Knight to tell him when to start paddling. “I spot a wave that I would want and pinpoint and position him. Once he is on a wayve, there is nothing I can do for him” said Knight.
Though most sporting events around the globe were canceled du to the coronavirus, Robert Faulso, Executive Director of the International Surfing Association felt like the show needed to go on. “Some ways we are fortunate that the timing of this. We were feeling like because this is outdoors, people are not all in one place at the same time” said Faulso.
However, the competition was cut short one day, but for these athletes, championship Saturday was a day to remember.