Skating In The Dark With Tommy Carroll

It’s safe to say that skateboarding is no easy task for the average person, and fifteen-year old Tommy Carroll has come a long way since he started when he was ten. But, from watching the video, what’s remarkable is how well he negotiates a skate park with ease despite being completely blind.

Having lost his eyes to bilateral retinoblastoma (cancer of the retinas) at the age of two, he skates relying on the sound of his wheels and likely a highly developed sense of proprioception. Aside from his inspirational commitment to overcoming obstacles, of particular mention is his belief in falling as an important skill on par with the actual skill being practiced.

If you want to see more of Tommy in action, be sure to check out his passionate and honest peer-to-peer talk with skate legend Tony Hawk, which gives you more insight into the technical aspects of his skating style and how he handles specific challenges.