Matt Formston is a world champion Para-cyclist and adaptive surfer, and was one of the Australian Paralympic Team’s top gold medal contenders ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Despite having only 3% vision, Formston has surpassed expectations to become a Guinness World Record holder for the largest wave surfed by a blind person, as well as a world champion surfer and cyclist. His remarkable journey is deeply rooted in the steadfast support of his family, who have believed in his boundless potential from a young age.
When Formston was five years old, he was diagnosed with macular dystrophy, a condition that affects the retina, specifically the macula, which is responsible for central vision. This condition, typically associated with older individuals, made Formston one of the first people under 40 globally to be diagnosed. As a blind surfer, Formston is redefining the limits of what’s physically achievable. In 2022, he conquered a 50-foot wave in Nazare, Portugal. The following year, he became the first para surfer to receive the prestigious Heavy Water Award at the Surfing Australia Awards. Formston is among the most celebrated professional para surfers globally. He has clinched the ISA World Para Surfing Championship three times, most recently in 2020, and has secured victories in the Australian and Hawaiian championships four times each, as well as twice at the US Adaptive Open. His exceptional skills and achievements in the sport are beyond question.
Formston is a keynote speaker with 15 years of experience, specialising in turning differences into strengths. He focuses on inspiring leaders and teams to adopt a can-do mindset and push beyond limits to achieve exceptional results. As he transitions from athlete to speaker and executive coach, Formston draws on his diverse experiences to collaborate with leading Australian and international businesses, embracing the chance to inspire and support others on their own journeys. In addition to his ambassadorships with Vision Australia, Invictus Australia, and SurfAid, Formston is a business executive at Optus, one of Australia’s top telecommunications companies. There, he spearheads initiatives in sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Formston’s impact is far-reaching. He has launched The Blind Sea, a groundbreaking film that captures his journey and the indomitable spirit of pushing past boundaries. Since 2018, Formston has dedicated himself to giving back to the community by leading clinics for blind and visually impaired children, teaching them to harness sound, touch, and other senses to experience the freedom of the ocean. In 2023, he published the award-winning children’s book Surfing in the Dark, which includes braille and is featured on Australia’s Premier’s reading list.
