Blind surfer defies odds tackling 15 metre big waves

An Aussie surfer who lost 95 per cent of his sight when he was just five-years-old has tackled some of the biggest waves in the world.

Matt Formston told Today he started using a bodyboard when he was a child and "has just kept surfing bigger and bigger waves" as he's got older.

But even with a few bumps and bruises along the way, he said nothing beats that feeling of cutting through the water.

READ MORE: Richard Wilkins dismayed over fake arrest photos

"My parents say I was born without a self-preservation gene," he said.

"I've had broken bones and cuts and stitches all over my body but that is part of being an athlete."

Matt said he uses a cane to get around on dry land but when he is on his board, "his front foot is his cane".

"I can feel the front of my board going up and down and on the big waves," he said.

"With 50 foot waves, you are not paddling, it is towing - I can't see so they blow a whistle and I let go of the rope, then it is go time."

While most people would be terrified of facing a towering wave that becomes bigger the closer it gets, Matt said he has a different type of fear when in the water.

"Since I have become a father I have a fear of dying because my children would lose their dad, but I have never really had I think a fear of the water," he said.

READ MORE: Shop owner selling controversial energy drinks 'not worried' about kids buying

When he first started to lose his sight, Matt was told he would never play sport and have to change schools.

But his determination was too strong and not only did he stay in mainstream school, but he kept playing sport.

He was keen to compete in the Paralympics and became a cyclist only because surfing wasn't a competitive option in the games.

Now, with just three per cent of his vision, Matt has since gone on to tackle giant waves in Nazare, Portugal and is the subject of a new children's book series by Vision Australia, written in braille and text.

"For the first time a blind mother and a sighted child can read the same book together," he said.

For more information on Matt's story click here and here.

See what else he had to say to Karl and Sarah in the video above

Join the Today show family and give yourself the chance to win great prizes by signing up to our weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox every Wednesday with a special message from Karl and Sarah. You can sign up for free here.