Listen to pro surfer Shaun Tomson have an introspective talk with Vaughn Lowery on the 360 MAG podcast HERE.
Shaun Tomson is a one-time WSL surf world champion and best-selling author. This South African former educator sat down with 360 MAGAZINE to discuss his latest version, The Surfer and The Sage, which is available on Amazon.
This environmentalist was one of the top surfers of the century and became the surfing world champion in 1971.
Tomson is considered among the most influential surfers in history. “When you find your passion, you just put in the hours and improve,” Shaun confesses when he speaks of his dedication to surfing. “I consider that I have a natural aptitude for competition. I’ve been racing for 16 years,” he adds.
Making a living from surfing has been Shaun’s dream. He admits that his professional surfing life has been amazing. ”I made my dream come true,” he confesses. Apart from having a passion for this sport, he’s established a lecture series where he has spoken at thousands of global corporations as well as universities where he has presented self-help methods to underprivileged children around the world.
Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii is one of the most dangerous surf competitions. In 1975, he rode the infamous waves along the legendary north coast of Oahu and “became the youngest winner, I was 20 years old,” he said.
Mental health is integral to Shaun Tomson and he lives in a myriad of mantras. ”You must have a commitment of trust,” he explains. In 2006, Tomson lost his 15-year-old son in a catastrophic accident, a school prank gone terribly wrong. As part of the process and to help other youth, Shaun has returned to work as a motivating speaker in hopes of encouraging today’s youth to make positive choices. As he loves to say in his interviews ‘Find your goal, find your power. My mission is to create what we call the Wave app across the Atlantic.”
Writing has become a integral part of his new career.” All you need to put hope work is to write your promises and say them aloud to promise you,” he said. “In your own words, you can create your own commitment, strength and power to achieve what you want,” Shaun adds.
In 2013, the legendary surfer published a book about self-improvement, The Code: The Power of I Will, a piece of literature that sums up life navigation. In this one, it provides a simple strategy for people facing the challenges of daily life, making positive decisions that can change their lives.
Since 1977, Tomson has put aside his trophies as a World Surfing Champion and began using his pro-athlete methodologies in short readings. He uses metaphors from his intense training regiment to give meaningful life lessons to all ages. If you haven’t read any of his books, we encourage you to engage in a series of readings, especially if you desperately need to compartmentalize some of life’s toughest hurdles.
Article: Andrea Esteban, Vaughn Lowery
