Blind big wave rider Matthew Formston recounts being ‘whistled’ into Nazare giant for award win

A blind big-wave rider has revealed how he takes on big surf - guided by a whistle - at the Australian Surfing Awards. See the winners including multiple Gold Coasters.

GOLD Coast’s eight-time world champion Steph Gilmore has been anointed Australia’s Female Surfer of the Year as a blind rider recounted his incredible heaviest wave ride.

Gilmore, competing in a World Surf League event in Hawaii, accepted her Australian Surfing Awards going via video link as did Male Surfer of the Year Jack Robinson.

But phenomenal blind surfer Matthew Formston – with three per cent vision in one eye and one per cent in the other – was on deck at the QT Gold Coast on Thursday night to accept the Heavy Wave award.

He knocked off a monster at Nazare, considered one of the world’s biggest waves, despite not being able to see and relying on mates blowing a whistle so he knows when to go, turn off the bottom and exit.

He told those packed in for the ceremony, including Gold Coast ex-pro Bede Durbidge and Coolangatta-based Australian surfing legend Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Batholomew, that it actually helped being blind when riding big waves.

Blind surfer Matt Formston at the Australian Surfing Awards where he took home the Heavy Water Award, recognising his incredible feat taking on the world's biggest wave, Nazare in Portugal.

“As you guys were announcing the winners I was literally more nervous than I was on that wave at Nazare.

“It’s easier for me being blind. I can’t see the wave (plus) small waves are too quick, on a big wave it’s slower. And it’s more forgiving on the turn - but if you don’t make it it’s a bit worse,” he said to laughs.

“We pull up in the carpark and people say to me all the time it must be a bonus not being able to see because it’s so big you can’t see it. It’s true, and the boys at Nazare would say if you could see what we are seeing there is no way you would be paddling out.

“People on the headand are like ‘Nah’ whereas I can’t see that and just trust the boys.”

Eight-time world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore is the Australian Female Surfers of the Year. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Formston also thanked his team who take him out and guide him during rides, saying: “Without people who take me, I can’t surf these waves so thank you to everyone who contributes to my surfing life.”

Gold Coaster Andrew McKinnon, Karen Neilsen and Rod Brooks won the Surf Culture award for their video project Legends of Surf 72 and fellow Coaster Cooper Chapman took out the Greater Good award for his work in mental health with The Good Human Factory.

The Mermaid Nobby’s Miami BoardRiders won the Simon Anderson Club of the year award.

Andrew McKinnon at the Australian Surfing Awards at QT Gold Coast. Picture: Marcelo Lang

THE WINNERS - AUSTRALIAN SURFING AWARDS

MALE SURFER

Jack Robinson

HARVEY NORMAN FEMALE SURFER

Stephanie Gilmore

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY MALE RISING STAR

Willis Droomer

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY FEMALE RISING STAR

Sierra Kerr

MALE PARA SURFER

Jack Jackson

FEMALE PARA SURFER

Emma Dieters

HEAVY WATER

Matthew Formston

Blind surfer Matt Formston at the Australian Surfing Awards taking home the Heavy Water Award recognising his incredible feat taking on the world's biggest wave, Nazare in Portugal.

REEFTIP GREATER GOOD

Cooper Chapman - The Good Human Factory

PETER TROY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Warren Smith

COACH

Tom Whittaker

SURF SCHOOL

Maroochy Surf School

ACCIONA INNOVATION

Garmin Instinct Solar - Surf Edition

ZAMBRERO SURF CULTURE

Legends of Surf 72 - Andrew McKinnon, Karen Neilsen, Rod Brooks

SIMON ANDERSON CLUB

Mermaid Nobby’s Miami (MNM) Boardriders

WOOLWORTHS INDIGENOUS SURFING COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Macquarie Sports (Macquarie Group)

SURFING AUSTRALIA SURF VIDEO

Facing Monsters, Garage Entertainment

SURF PHOTO

Ted Grambeau

HALL OF FAME

Taj Burrow

Originally published as Blind big wave rider Matthew Formston recounts being ‘whistled’ into Nazare giant for award win