A Good Sport
The power of “I Will”
Shaun Tomson on how to ride the unpredictable waves in business and in life.
Professional speaker, creative thinker, best-selling author, environmentalist, businessman, entrepreneur. And world surfing champion. Shaun Tomson’s list of epithets is impressive, as is his ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges—both in and out of the water.
A native of South Africa and an American citizen, he spent 16 years on the Professional Surfing Tour, winning competitions all over the world and becoming known as one of the 25 most influential surfers of the century and one of the 10 greatest surfers of all time. But Tomson also has a business finance degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and put it to good use in founding two multimillion-dollar international apparel ventures: Instinct and Solitude. Not keeping his business and sporting knowledge to himself, he worked in executive positions for some of the foremost companies in the active lifestyle sector, including Patagonia and O’Neill.
In addition to all these endeavours, Tomson produced the award-winning documentary film Bustin’ Down the Door, authored the best-selling book Surfer’s Code, and created the children’s app Surf Creatures. He is also a board member and ambassador for the Surfrider Foundation: the world’s largest environmental group dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans, waves and beaches that have given Tomson so much joy over the years.
Now living with his wife Carla and son Luke in Montecito, California, he still finds the time for a quick surf. Tribe Business Magazine was fortunate to have an enlightening conversation with this true champion.
Now living with his wife Carla and son Luke in Montecito, California, he still finds the time for a quick surf. Tribe Business Magazine was fortunate to have an enlightening conversation with this true champion.
“I like to drop a stone, create a ripple and build a wave.”.
You’re considered one of the 10 greatest surfers of all time, and one of South Africa’s finest sporting heroes. How did it all start?
It all started on a beach in Durban. Both my parents loved the beach; my dad was a lifeguard and a swimming champion. In 1946, he was attacked by a shark—it was a very bad attack, but he never ever lost his love for the ocean and was part of a club called Durban Surf. The love and connection my parents had for the ocean really imparted my love for the beach and surfing.
To what do you attribute your success?
Great passion and love for surfing. The very first time I stood up on my little surfboard, I was stoked! That’s what motivated me to continue wanting to duplicate the feeling. Passion—be it for sport or business—helps you put in the hours, and hard work is about as important as any aspect to enable success. During my surfing career, I was in the water more than anyone else in the world; because of that, I became successful.
How did you feel when you become the International Professional Surfers World Champion in 1977?
It was an amazing experience to win the world title. South Africa was a small country in the world, and back then surfing was controlled by the Australians, Californians and Hawaiians. It was wonderful to make that mark and to have South Africa emerge on the scene. There were other great surfers at the time, such as Mike Tomson, Jonathan Paarman, Gavin Rudolph and Bruce Jackson.
What mark would you want to leave on the world?
My goal is to create a positive wave around the world that’s going to inspire everyone to find their purpose. I love helping people find their purpose: from people in business to young people finding their true path. I like to drop a stone, create a ripple and build a wave.
How were you able to stay focused all the years?
I was very focused on self-improvement. I was always dedicated because being the best I can be was crucial to me. I maintained the excitement to continually get fitter, surfing better, getting the best boards, concentrating on my equipment and strategy. Focus to win was very important, and every wave I took on I wanted to ride better than anyone else in the world, and better than I’d done before.
Describe your business philosophy.
Doing good, doing the right thing even when no one is looking, helping others, being engaged, and connecting with other people. With everything I do, I always paddle back out no matter how bad. When you paddle back out, that’s when you find the next wave.
What was your motivation for writing The Code: The Power of ‘I Will’?
A group of young people who were coming to the beach at my adopted home were facing an environmental problem, and a friend asked me to give them something. At the time, my wife and I had a really cool clothing company called Solitude, but instead of giving them clothing I decided to give them the lessons that surfing had taught me about life—fundamental principles of how to live life and be successful.
As a former surfing world champion, you have tackled some of the planet’s biggest waves and conquered them. Which one stands out?
I’ve had so many great waves, but one wave that I had all by myself at Jeffrey’s Bay was the most remarkable. I got this incredible long, fast, challenging wave as I pulled into the tube, then realised there were dolphins! They had been riding the wave with me, and jumped right out in front of me and nearly knocked me off my board. This experience connected me to the essence of surfing, which is the exhilaration connecting us to nature.
Often, we get weighed down by negativity. Are there any habits that have helped you maintain a positive attitude?
Gratitude, optimism, hope… My code helps me get out of the mud and get back out there to catch that next wave. I wrote those 12 lines so many years ago, so I encourage everyone to get a piece of paper, sit down and write their 12 lines. Every line begins with “I WILL”—and that’s your code.
Have there been any life skills learnt during your surfing career that have helped you become a successful entrepreneur?
A tremendous number! Always paddle back out; be resilient and persist no matter the obstacle. As surfers, we’re always excited about that next wave—it instils in you the importance of connecting and watching out for fellow surfers.
How do you balance work and play?
For many years, surfing was the most important thing to me. It still is, but there’s a balance now. I’ve never really considered what I do as ‘work’; even when I give talks or presentations in Australia, America or South Africa on how surfing has impacted my life, I share my code and have people write their own code to share with one another. During that sharing, I see the engagement and connectivity in that room—and that’s the best job in the world.
It seems you have a passion for speaking to and motivating others.
I love to share what I’ve learnt. We all have this responsibility to share our stories because stories can inspire. I share my perspective and watch it shed light.
Any additional thoughts?
I would love Tribe readers to write their own code and post it on their social media: share it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram [please tag TRIBE Magazine].
Shaun Tomson is available for keynote presentations at corporate events, seminars, forums, live events, exhibitions and conferences around the world. For further details, check out www.shauntomson.com.
In the kraal with
Shaun Tomson
Favourite beach?
Hemans Reef
Favourite city?
Durban
Your most special moment on the beach?
“With my late son Matthew, in the sacred story circle he created. We sat there and told each other stories for about an hour. That was my best day at the beach.”
Can’t live without…?
“My beautiful son Luke and my beautiful wife of 31 years, Carla.”
What do you consider a relaxing day?
“Having great surf in the morning, spending time with my wife and our little doggie Buddy, then going home to my wife’s world-famous rosemary chicken.”
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