Surfing's Game Changer: The Impact of Shaun Tomson

Join us as we dive into the legendary journey of 1977 world champion, South African Shaun Tomson, whose revolutionary tube riding skills transformed the surfing scene in the mid-70s at Backdoor Pipeline and Off the Wall on Hawaii's North Shore. Discover his impact in the iconic film 'Free Ride', his leadership in the Bustin Down the Door movement, and how he continues to inspire through motivational speaking and 'The Surfers Code:

I will never turn my back on the ocean.
I will always paddle back out.
I will take the drop with commitment.
I know that there will always be another wave.
I will realize that all surfers are joined by one ocean.
I will paddle around the impact zone.
I will never fight a riptide.
I will watch out for other surfers after a big set.
I will pass on my stoke.
I will ride, and not paddle into shore.
I will catch a wave everyday even in my mind.
I will honor the sport of kings.

Music:
Small Faces- Take My Time (UK)
Freedom's Children - Sea Horse (South Africa)
Thony Adex and his Sedico Sound - Highlife (Nigeria)
The Schumann Combo - Vesuv (Germany)

Additional imagery by:
Hal Jepsen
Chris Klopf
Gary Capo
Curtis Mastalka
Conlon Brothers
Dan Merkel
Grant Rohloff
Alan Main
Gregg Weaver
Spyder Wills
Surfer
Surfing
Surfing World
Tracks
Phil Sheppard
Scott Dittrich
Mike Van Vuuren
Bill Delaney
Hugh Thomas
Jack Mc Coy
Dick Hoole
Ross Myers
Mike Moir
Jim Russi
Bernie Baker
Steve Wilkings
Bob Barbour
Lance Trout
Warren Bolster
Aaron Chang
Peter Crawford

#surfhistory #realsurfstories #shauntomson

[GaryPalmer-it]

Loved this era in surfing I'm 62 and these guys with MR Rabbit PT Dane. Etc showed the world a whole new level of surfing. Great video

[frankiec]

I remember a picture of Shaun Thompson doing a round house cutback in surfer magazine back in 1974.. I had already been surfing for 7 years… but that was it for me.. it was my biggest inspiration and pushed me to move to the North Shore from Jersey.. I’m 67 now and still trying to charge..lol.. Those were the best of times.. I’m so thankful I grew up when I did.

[PepeofCalif]

As Shaun and Wife Carla's art director for their clothing line ~ Solitude, the Tomson's are great people and some of my favorite clients ever. Cheers Tomson's 🌊 FH

[StephenWebb-pz]

Something I'll never forget.
I was doing ding repairs in HB in the late 70s early 80s . When the contest were in town I would repair a few boards for the pros, Shaun was the only one that tipped me when I fixed his board. Honorable gentleman.

[oneday]

A humble Legend who has never lost his stoke

[keanul.]

Shawn Thomson Was definitely a pioneer of pro surfing n deep tube riding on the north shore in the early 70s. He was one of the main pioneers that bust down the doors and pave the way. All the pro surfers today that are making a good living at the sport they love. owe what they have the Shawn Thompson.

[mollocoaching]

The backside revolution... love it when he said he'd leave the tubes for the goofy footers. Few dare do what he does in Pipeline, maneuvering under the tube, hitting the lip like crazy.

[mozdickson]

Im 64, this is like watching my life in surfing pass before my eyes. Tom Curren and Shaun, they will always ride high in my eyes. Shalom to both

[Strawman]

Shaun Tomson, Pottz, Buttons, Slater, Cheyne Horan, Christian Fletcher, etc. were all over my walls on posters when I was a kid. Great times!

[markhale]

“Free Ride” … all of us surfers just going crazy and shouting out loud with amazement at Shaun’s incomparable style. Something younger generations
with video tapes and later YouTube just can’t comprehend…going to see a surf movie in a theater, often just a one night showing, was an event for the “tribe” and for me, Shaun was the icon. Seeing him decades later when he was touring with “Bustin’ Down the Door” was an equally memorable event and even my kids were amazed by Shaun’s talent.

[Lloydbolsagrande]

Dropping in 2nd reef pipe is sooo cool
Shawn is just plain rad !!! Great style and forever a legend !!!
You know he’s getting barrels somewhere

[birdssurfshed]

Honored to know and have surfed with this man for over 50 years in various locations around the world. Th consummate gentleman.

[marcioramosfoto]

The true spirit of surfing, Tomson is an all-time brilliant surfer

[lawtonloraine]

The rocker on that single fin is just wild, fantastic turns

[marwinsing]

What a legend. Have oodles of respect for this man, am from his era, early Bay of Plenty days, Durban. Knew his pops Ernie too. Thank you RSS your doccie on Shaun Tomson is right on point, this made my morning! Awesome footage took me down memory lane. Again, 🙏

[Gulfgrown]

Bought a six 6 twin and a thruster from Shaun. Shaped by Rusty. Both boards would do anything you wanted to do. Big and small waves. Best days of my life 🌊

[surf_videos]

Fluid style, great surfer - remember when you dropped in on me at NN the surf club right, I was so far back in the barrel you did not know - yep - until I popped out and said HEY ! - LOL - small world 😁

[henrymorgan]

If he only knew how "Iconic" that film of him and MR was, is and will be for the rest of time.
Surfing All Time Legend.
Shaun Tompson.

[dogworldonline]

Shaun was one of the founding fathers of modern surfing. Evolved board design allowed them to do high performance surfing that had never been seen before. Still looks great 50 years later.

[keanul.]

Yea Curren Has a very good smooth flowing style I like the way he goes off the bottom off the top I really watch him Surf, then all these acrobatic new generation surfers these days