Beyond Sight

California native Joshua Loya is a visually impaired surfer chasing a dream to represent the United States at the ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship and win gold. Born with folds in both retinas, he grew up nearsighted and was restricted from activities that could risk further injury. As a restless teenager, an accident while attempting nunchuck moves from a movie further damaged his vision. Instead of holding him back, it reshaped how he saw risk. “Once I lost my eyesight, then I didn’t have to worry about losing it,” he reflects. “So why not enjoy life?” Joshua chose adventure and eventually found his way to surfing and a new purpose in the water.