Thomas Da Silva

My name is Thomas I am 25 years old. I lost my sight in 2011 when I was 10 years old after a stroke
that damaged my optic nerves.
When I was a kid motocross was my passion. I also skated a lot and I have always loved board sports. I
grew up by the ocean and spent every summer at the beach.
After losing my sight I had to rebuild my life and find something to hold on to in order to move forward
and find balance again.
I discovered surfing when I was 15 years old already blind. The ocean has always been part of my life
and it is where I found comfort motivation and inspiration. It is also where I found friends a community
and a true passion.
At first surfing was just about having fun. Today my goal is to become a professional surfer.
It is an incredible honor to be here in Hawaii where surfing was born. I feel lucky to be surrounded by
such an amazing community and to have an organization that allows us to express ourselves all year
long competing in different countries.
At the end of the day surfing is simple. Friends waves and the ocean. Nothing else really matters.