A Blind Surfer Takes on Kauai’s Legendary Waves

Travel Tales by AFAR

For writer Ryan Knighton, surfing is one of the rare occurrences where he feels completely free. Because, in addition to being an excellent writer, a dad, and a curious individual, Ryan is blind. But that's never stopped him from exploring the world. So more than a decade ago, he learned to surf and has been riding the waves near his home in British Columbia ever since. But he’s always had a hankering to surf in a location he doesn’t know intimately. So this year, he traveled to Kaua‘i, where he found a guide—a surfer named Johnny—who pushed both of their boundaries so that Ryan could ride a new wave.

Don't miss these moments!

• 4:21: An interview with Ryan about how he learned to surf and what it's like to spend most of your life on other people's elbows.
• 24:03: Ryan's travel tale, read by actor Andrew Galteland

Meet this week’s guest

• Ryan Knighton, AFAR contributing writer

Resources

• Read this episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
• Read Ryan's story about going on safari in Zimbabwe, his trip to Jordan, and his original Spin the Globe in Cairo.
• Listen to Ryan's original Travel Tale.
• Read Ryan’s book, Cockeyed: A Memoir.
• Watch Billions.
• Follow him on X.

A special thanks to Andrew Galteland, who read Ryan's story for him. You can follow Andrew on his podcast, Looters, a sci-fi western role-playing show. Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

And a special thanks to our season four Travel Tales by AFAR sponsor, Avalon Waterways, who shares our belief in the transformative power of travel.

Amazon Music link: www.tryamazonmusic.com/KjWPGN