In 2018, twelve blind teenagers who grew up in the desert heat, void of an ocean, defied all odds and learned how to sail at a local lake.
From Arizona Health & Living, March 2021
The dozen, known as the Blind Buccaneers, later journeyed hundreds of miles across the sea without the use of eyesight to guide them. In a moving tale about perseverance, courage and grit, the award-winning documentary “Ocean of Obstacles,” is set to be released on digital and cable VOD by Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios Company, on April 13, 2021.
The film was the brainchild of Phoenix-based director, Louie Duran, who first discovered the Foundation for Blind Children and their challenge events in 2015. He began documenting these stories several years later at Lake Pleasant Harbor. The challenge events are part of an on-going effort by the Foundation to inspire visually-impaired individuals to achieve more in life.
Duran said, “I witnessed the strength and hope these kids possess shine full from challenging themselves. When given the opportunity to show the world this life-changing experience, I jumped at the chance! Every one of these kids had to overcome fear and doubt to reach their goals, and they all became my heroes.”