Photos: Spain’s first blind female surfer is aiming for the world title

Carmen Lopez Garcia, 21 was born with congenital glaucoma and lost her vision completely when she was a child. Guided by her coach and with all the hard work she’s been putting in, Lopez has become Spain’s first blind female athlete to enter the World Adaptive Surfing Championship, currently underway in La Jolla, California. Set free by the sea, despite being unable to see the waves, Lopez is guided by a system of whistles and has her aim set on competing in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

Updated on: Dec 14, 2018 10:16 AM IST

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Carmen Lopez Garcia is watched by her coach Lucas Garcia during training at Salinas beach, Spain. the visually impaired Lopez can only imagine what the sea looks like, but the 21-year-old Spaniard is in her element when riding the surf. (Eloy Alonso / REUTERS)

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Guided by instinct and signals whistled by her coach, Lopez has been training hard to become Spain’s first blind female athlete to enter the World Adaptive Surfing Championship, ongoing from December 12 to 16 in La Jolla, California, USA. (Eloy Alonso / REUTERS)

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Garcia, who swims next to Lopez when she surfs, is her ‘eyes’ when it comes to telling her about a wave coming up. “A single whistle means the wave is coming on her right side, and a double whistle, on her left side,” he said, likening the signals to the way dolphins communicate. (Eloy Alonso / REUTERS)

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“I’m not different from other surfers,” said Lopez who was born with congenital glaucoma and lost her vision completely when she was a child. “The sea is where I feel peace and freedom, as if it were where I’m supposed to be,” she said after an hour and a half of wave-riding practice in the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain. (Eloy Alonso / REUTERS)

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Lopez plays with her dog at her apartment in Oviedo, Spain. In its fourth edition, the La Jolla event for surfers with disabilities features its first team competition for visually impaired female athletes, with Lopez representing Spain. (Eloy Alonso / REUTERS)

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Lopez takes a break from surfing. Visually impaired surfers such as Lopez’ countryman Aitor Francesena or Brazilian Derek Rabelo have achieved legendary status in the sport, and Lopez, who only took up surfing a few months ago, is aiming high. (Eloy Alonso / REUTERS)

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After the La Jolla tournament, organised by the International Surfing Association (ISA), Lopez aims to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. ISA has been campaigning to make adaptive surfing a Paralympic sport. Lopez wants to encourage others with disabilities to challenge their limitations, live a full life and perhaps try out radical sports. (Eloy Alonso / REUTERS)