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Shaun Tomson, a renowned surfer, has had a significant impact on the surfing community through his personal journey and contributions. Growing up in a segregated society in South Africa, Tomson witnessed the injustices of racial segregation and became determined to bring about change. The first content segment explores his upbringing in a liberal and Jewish family, which exposed him to the realities of the unjust system. Hosting Eddie Aikau, a famous Hawaiian surfer who was denied entry to a hotel due to racial segregation laws, was a pivotal moment that opened Tomson's eyes to the injustices of the system.
The second content segment focuses on Tomson's creation of the Surfers Code. He developed this set of twelve "I Will" statements as a gift to a group of young people raising awareness about an environmental challenge at Rincon, a popular surfing spot in Santa Barbara. The Surfers Code resonated with people because it represented a collection of values centered around perseverance, courage, honor, and bravery, using surfing metaphors.
The third segment provides an interpretation of each lesson in the Surfers Code for those unfamiliar with surfing. Each lesson represents a value or principle learned from surfing and can be applied to life. Tomson believes that lack of engagement is the biggest social problem in the world today, and the Surfers Code is a tool that helps people connect with their purpose and values, both internally and externally.
Tomson encourages people from all walks of life to write their own codes and share them with others. He believes that personal codes should focus on broader aspirations rather than specific goals. Tomson finds joy in seeing people share their personal codes, as it gives him hope for the human condition and the world. He encourages everyone to write their own code and share it with others.
Shaun Tomson, a renowned surfer, has had a significant impact on the surfing community through his p