Legendary surfer, 1977 World Champion, and WSL co-founder Shaun Tomson joins Dave Prodan for a deep dive into the past, present, and future of professional surfing.
I remember watching Shaun compete in Durban at the Gunston 500 in the mid-80’s, the beach packed with spectators, watching with pride as this legend put South African surfing on the map.
Reflections
In the podcast Shaun reflects on Jordy Smith’s career and potential World Title breakthrough for South Africa, the complexity of Cloudbreak vs. Teahupo’o, and the ethos of winning and losing with grace.
He also shares the life principles behind his Surfer’s Code and Think Twice Foundation, turning 70, and his recent Lifetime Achievement Award at the SIMA Waterman’s Ball. Shaun takes us back to surfing’s formative years, from Bustin’ Down the Door and the birth of the then-IPS Tour, to his groundbreaking tube-riding approach that ultimately delivered him a World Title. It’s truly inspirational.
What does Shaun think the future holds for surfing?
With next year marking the 50th anniversary of the World Championship Tour, Shaun reflects on the legacy, the evolution, and the future of where surfing could go from here. The Lightning Round rounds off the pod, with his dream lineup with Kelly Slater and Tom Curren, and timeless lessons from one of surfing’s most influential voices.
For more, listen to Filipe Toledo’s take on starting at the bottom and working his way to the top.
