Shaun Thomson's Tragic Story

[@StuartThompson-d1i]

I grew up in Durban, South Africa. In 1980 I walked into Shaun’s shop on West Street with my Mom. I was looking to buy my first board. I was approached by Shaun’s Dad in the shop. He really helped me find what I was looking for. Shaun came into the shop and had a chat with us. What a nice guy. I ended up buying a 5’6” single fin. I’m Stuart Thompson and I’d like to say Shaun, South Africa was always proud of you man. Sorry to hear about the loss of your son. God bless

[@CelestialForecastsbyCarrie]

I met Shaun when he had his Instinct Surf Shop in Santa Monica. I was as star struck as could be. He signed a poster for me. Such a cherished memory. So sorry for what he’s been through. 🥺

[@headmondronary2127]

So sad. I can hear it in his voice. My biggest fear as a father of two is that something dreadful happens to either of them. It's a natural fear but its always present. All power and love to you Shaun.

[@stephenlaw7018]

In about 1980 or 81 I was out before dawn at Snapper Rocks. I was the only one out and got a nice little barrel. Shaun and Mark Foo were paddling out and as I came out of the barrel they both gave me a little hoot! I was so stoked! Such nice dudes, real gentlemen.

[@primus7776]

What an honest, genuine and human inspiration this man is: He was the world's greatest surfer in late 70's/early 80's.

[@iancumbers494]

Shaun was my hero back in the 70/s and still is today ..2021 ..your a great role model ..cheers ..

[@stevedexter-ns7qj]

Thank you Shaun thank you. You're an inspiration as a surfer and as a true human being and father.

[@miaombak655]

I remember meeting you at Burleigh Heads back in the late 70s for the Stubbies Surf Comp. I was a little Gidget and you were one of my heros along with several others I had the pleasure to meet. You are a true legend and gentleman. I too lost my only child, my darling son. The grief of a parent almost destroys us, yet also inspires us to live better, be better people. I still love the waves, It's in my heart and soul... my passion. This vid came up in the wee hours as I scroll unable to sleep on this humid night and old memories flooded back. A very different time and era. 😊 Bless you always and your beautiful wife. The bond between child and parent is eternal and strong. Mahalo ♡

[@TheLemon333]

It's refreshing to hear folks talk about real life in a time when phony positivity is the fashion.❤

[@izandevainmyheart1129]

He was a classy super hero. I met him at Rocky Point. He was super friendly and humble.

[@gibbynyc6482]

Beautiful soul.

[@surfer8210]

We met in NJ at a surf convention. You autographed a photo, I still have it. You wrote, Keith, Aloha, stay tubed…!! Shaun Thompson

[@Jetty-me6cw]

Shawn at backdoor nothing less than grace in motion. What a gentleman.

[@323v6]

What a touching story and a goes to show, even Legends suffer

[@miaombak655]

I have admired and looked up.to this incredible person since I was a Gidget back in the 70's . Had the pleasure to meet him at the Burleigh Stubbies (first one). Brilliant surfer, story teller, a true gentleman. Watching this now, I see he is still a beautiful man. Bless. 🙏

[@nelsonluisfreire8969]

This guy was my youth surf idol. And now, it's great to watch him speeching this way. What a human being!

[@JBMADNESS]

You are the man Shaun Tomson!!!

[@harrow2355]

Great interview,Shaun has surfing in his blood,he came down south to Margret River with Chris who was just coming back from JBay to Australia,the day was spring,ground swells and strong east wind making every place hollow and sharp shoulders,Shaun was doing half bottom turns in the barrel,all of us were thankfull to see him carve the south west waves.

[@fozalinko]

I turned my back on the ocean for 12 years after my brother perished at sea, but I found it again, it is the only way I can feel solace, I can empathise with Shaun's loss. I now have grand kids and I want them to know the freedom and spirituality you experience from the ocean.

[@lulubelljingles9701]

I’m sorry for your loss

[@hotpinkcottoncandy1376]

Hello uncle Shaun! Its Gabriella, I wish i could have met Mathew.He seemed very loving and kind of what my mom told me.I hope Carla,Luke, Buddy and you are doing well!!

[@hotpinkcottoncandy1376]

Hi uncle Shaun! It’s Gabriella i hope you Luke aunty Carla and buddy are doing well.

[@michaellindsay2684]

Wow your courage telling that story Shaun is remarkable a very positive outlook threw emmence pain and keeping the stoke of surfing wow what a amazing human you are shaun.god bless you

[@calfolk7381]

powerful message and video 👍

[@Marlene-Ferreira]

Shaun, thank you for the Inspiration You have been through the Years, SURFING for Me as a South African, who was never a surfer myself. Watched the Surfers with Admiration, how You moved on those waves, with such ease & finesse. The children that today still get excited when they are able to watch, "OUR SURFING CHAMPION" RIDING THOSE BEAUTIFUL WAVES IN HAWAI'I, inspiring them to do their best no matter what. YOU ARE AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OUR HERO. THANK YOU, MAHALO, ALOHA, DANKIE... Stay safe, You have taught me something now. Never turn your back on the Ocean. Life throws us many Lemons, it's what we choose to do with them, that's the important part. MAHALO.. Stay Safe & Well...

[@OrcasPurpose]

Thank you Shawn! I need that! Remember that from when I was a kid. Never turn your back on the ocean! My best times in life have been on the ocean! ✌🏾❤️✊🏾Don’t walk away from your passion! Yes Sir! Roger that!

[@marymonalisa1]

So sorry for your loss Shaun and Carla ...my heart goes out to you both

[@ikaikamaleko8370]

I grew up in Hawaii in the 70 and 80s, I remember Shaun was the man out at Pipeline, he was on the surfing magazine covers a lot too.

[@CN-xt7hj]

Met Shaun in 1980 while I was a ding man at a local shop, will never forget the encounter. True champion and ambassador of surfing.

[@BarbarraBay]

Shaun.... always loved by so many .... wise advice... keep the love alive....

[@tmac8892]

The world breaks everyone and afterward some are strong at the broken places.

[@killereverb3928]

One of the very best ever - as a father my heart goes out to him losing his son. I cannot imagine. God bless you Shaun. Always.

[@reddiver7293]

God bless you, bradda Shaun. One of my high points was you hooting at me as I got barreled bodysurfing Backdoors.

[@jubas7935]

Thank you Brother!

[@323v6]

Lovely piece bro ! Even legends suffer No one is immune Love to you and your family We lost our local surfing instructor a month ago I'll never forget the smile from that 1st wave, he, and the ocean put on my face ! Glad you got some stoke back buddy

[@crashdavis721]

when i started surfing, this is the guy i wanted to emulate. about as close as i got was being able to stand on a board. will always be an inspiration to me.

[@clarkewi]

Shaun was one of a handful who changed the direction of surfing back in the 1970's. Shaun was instrumental into changing surfing from an outlaw cult into a serious competitive sport. Much respect.

[@adrianxenia5670]

clarkewi / outlaw cult is a bit over the top isn't it, are you a cop ?

[@surfer8210]

@@adrianxenia5670 I’m not sure how old you are but that’s pretty much how surfing and surfers were looked at. I know that I’m responding to a 3 year old comment but it’s never too late for the truth to shine…!!

[@abladerunner831]

@@surfer8210 Yes it was counter culture back then ,,,.. bikies and surfers - counter culture groups stigmatised as drops outs, lazy, druggies. And from out of the blue, Shaun changed that perception. Here was a world champion surfer, educated, well spoken and from a week to do family, humble, thoughtful ... He had it all

[@surfer8210]

@@abladerunner831 As far as marketing surfing to the masses he had the “looks” too.

[@reginaldinoenchillada3513]

I will never turn my back on the ocean. Thank you Mr Thomson.

[@johnbrown1851]

When I was in high school ,just learning to surf in the 70's, I remember picking up a Surfer Magazine and seeing Shawn doing a radical backside bottom turn at pipeline with his butt almost touching the water . This Grom was inspired , to say the least! May your hearts heal and let your grief be a call to compassion.

[@surfdogdude]

God bless Shaun and his family!

[@WhiteNacho]

Shawn once complimented me on a wave I rode at Rincon when I paddled back out.

[@BigSkippy1263]

Shaun once cut off me and All of my friends at Hueneme. He was a punk a$$ beyotch!

[@realbudgiesmugglertwohatsb2611]

Man that was raw and heartfelt all good energy to you Shaun your a cool person..

[@rondoharding4275]

Great message, Shaun.

[@JeremiahAlphonsus]

A real class act he is.

[@tonzray]

kiakaha shaun been a huge fan of yours for many years,met you breifly on the gold coast at burleigh heads at the stubbies in 1983 or 84 you were up against m r..what a heat.. in nz kiakaha stay strong sorry for your loss takes alot of mana to share your pain.

[@henrymorgan3982]

Thanks for sharing your story. They don't make greats like Shaun anymore. Aloha!

[@paulmarshall9738]

Awesome and inspiring... thank you!

[@VinhoNico]

Amazing Person.

[@doug_1489]

watched him beat Brad Gerlach at Kommetjie in 1986 to win the Spur surfabout...made history that day too if I remember correctly, this man is a real legend! praise Jah!

[@1010Tommy]

Your the best Shaun!!

[@quasarkneepro7758]

I remember some of the first shots of Shaun he had on a st. Christopher medallion....we all ran out and bought one !!!

[@Zepster77]

He was my first and best surfer hero... I had a few but he... anyway... I would never want to trade places with him I don't think I would handle it as well if I were to lose my boy

[@mt45tobinary33]

Still have the program from the 1977 Gunston 500 surf comp in Durban South Africa, autographed by Shaun Thompson, same year that he won it and the world title. Was a super nice guy even back then to us grommits.

[@sea2959]

Lucky enough to see him out at Hanalei bay. What a legend...

[@KatherineUribe-1]

We all suffer loss, it's part of life.

[@maxst415]

You guys should read his book "The Code." Great story.

[@alohatraveler]

Legend. Aloha from Kauai

[@adrianxenia5670]

A true surfing style master legend, gentlemen & honest man !

[@BigSkippy1263]

If any of you had the "pleasure" of surfing in the same general area as Shawn I think you would change your opinion of him being a gentleman. He came to Hueneme beach in California and showed everybody how a professional should NOT act. Luckily there were no impressionable gromets around to pick up any of his bad manners or attitude.

[@rainerweishaupl1103]

@@BigSkippy1263 yeah he cut me off in California as well. He did a typical long bottom turn to straighten me out. But he is still an inspiration to me and NO ONE is without sin. I can totally understand why he gave up surfing for a while and how hard it was to get something out of life again. Losing a child is the worst possible thing that can happen to you.

[@kirkdunn1379]

He was one of my favorite surfers however my last memory was him snaking me on beautiful day at 3rd point Malibu before surfline and cameras in early 90s when you could still get it empty occasionally.....perfect 3-5 ft glassy and he just got 2 perfect waves and he had to take mine and he went in....was so pissed.....but whateves such is life....

[@careystuart]

When I was a kid my bedroom walls were covered with pictures of Shaun. I watched the " Wild World of Sports" when he won the Pipe Masters. P.S. I'm 65...

[@rainerweishaupl1103]

Same age here. I had a picture of him in my high school locker.

[@e.rod.moto.]

Shaun ❤💪🏻

[@cheryleewilcox3332]

I remember your father, Ernie, very well.

[@julianevans6823]

Truly inspirational shaun thank you ☺

[@chrisstark5576]

I hope you have a great day bro.An awesome book to read is "Proof Of Heaven".Many Blessings

[@dennysmith7862]

Victoria Bay - Circe 1970 - Robert Brown and I watched Shaun in the water - rip was high but Vic Bay was known for this... He came out and recognised Robert, looked at me asking "who is the chick?" to which I took umbrage... but have always liked him so all OK...surfer supreme... Resurrection hope is a real one... The account of Lazarus gives me assurance we will all see our loved ones again on a paradise earth...On a small scale then, Christ demonstrated what he intends doing on a massive scale... Not for nothing they were in our lives and meant so much...

[@BigSkippy1263]

Showed up on our beach in Hueneme,Ca years ago. Great surfer,no manners. He cut everyone off and was just a basic A-HOLE. He was a surfer I looked up to. After that day I stopped caring.

[@lorenzo6mm]

yeah its true. One time he surfed El Capitan point with a lot of us locals and it was really going off and really no one paid him any mind. Its not like a good wave can't make anyone look great. El Capitan and the barrel from the top of the creek can get as good as it gets. Back then as good a he was, there we're lots of Agro surfers who could and would go toe to toe with him in or out of the water. Mostly though it was just a lot of Alpha Male fighting stuff mixed with too much cocaine use. Shaun Thomson was part of that early 1970's infamous Bronzed Aussie thing in Hawaii that changed everything about money and contest pro surfing. The Hawaiian locals had to check them a bit but the money changed everyone like Shaun Thomson into something not pretty.

[@1stclassrentals981]

Youll see your son again one day Shaun

[@aibarrave]

The best SURFER ! Regards my friend

[@REECEAVA]

Wow, the concept of your entire being, your biggest and only dream, being gone in an instance. Trust me is a fucking traumatic experience.

[@juanbonet8309]

My best regards, Old Spice Surfing Inspiration.

[@theronnelson3617]

It was good hanging out with you in Vegas at the magic show and then another time at a corporate party at that Resort in North Santa Barbara 4C magazine Jennifer Smith good hanging out with you

[@brantrichardson1949]

When they feel the need to build a hospital right on the beach... dont surf there.

[@PaulOReilly712]

13 people do not deserve breath dislikes

[@whatdoiknowsmith]

Can you please get the captions correct.

[@andysgarage007]

SHAUN CHECK OUT HOPE FOR HEALING HEARTS BY GREG LAURIE YOU WILL BE AMAZED..... OLD FRIEND OF PAUL'S SURF BEAT DAYS

[@sebastiaocarneiro4122]

Fk Genius !! 🔝⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@matthewwillis4892]

A-H

[@kenmarapese9085]

Shaun ripped pipe!

[@PaulOReilly712]

God was broken on the cross in our place so he can wipe all tears from our eyes one day soon "Hope" but sure Hope because of the resurrection after. We suffer now but Heaven will be free of suffering, and the reunions ( for you Shawn and your beautiful boy)will turn tears into laughter. Revelation 21 verse 4 v The Bible 21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

[@bearcatXF]

"most heavily bombed place in the history of the world" That's weird because I'm looking at pictures of Germany in 1945... I wonder if anybody got hurt at Hamburg, Dresden or Pforzheim...🤔

[@bipolatelly9806]

awww fuck! THAT wasn't a "tragic story" !!! (until he spoke of his dead son.)

[@bipolatelly9806]

Willy Wombat awww fuck! THAT wasn't a nice thing to say! I'm actually VERY well built... and I never met my mama! ()-: Tragic, hey? The real tragedy is your grammar.

[@notxorc]

Ledgendary

[@lisaedmonds7624]

Ii

[@KooksEntertainment-dd6oe]

Beautiful Human being