Shaun Tomson

Shaun Tomson is a World Surfing Champion, leadership expert, bestselling author, entrepreneur and environmentalist—and the #1 speaker on the Code to find purpose. Named one of the ten greatest surfers of all time and one of the most influential surfers of the century, he brings the courage, focus and resilience required to ride the world’s most dangerous waves into the challenges facing leaders and organizations today.

Shaun’s keynotes are far more than inspirational stories. They are immersive experiences built around The Code Method, a powerful personal-development and team-engagement process that helps people define purpose, activate hope and convert intention into action. In approximately 15 minutes, participants write 12 lines, each beginning with “I will,” creating a personal code that serves as a practical compass for decisions, behavior, and performance. When codes are shared, the experience creates uncommon emotional connection, accountability and unity across a team.

Independent evaluation of The Code Method found strong organizational impact: 84% of participants reported motivation to improve performance; 78% said reading their code aloud increased accountability; 75% said it helped identify personal goals; 74% said it helped unite the team; and 90% recognized shared values. Participants consistently describe the experience as life-changing, transformational, authentic and unforgettable.

Shaun has inspired audiences at organizations including Google, General Motors, Cisco, Disney, PwC, Gilead Sciences, and The Gap, as well as at business schools, universities, associations, healthcare organizations, and leadership groups around the world. His warm, eloquent and deeply human style combines extraordinary surfing stories with lessons in purpose, resilience, commitment, courage, empathy, hope and positive choice.

Beyond the stage, Shaun has built market-leading international apparel companies, including Instinct and Solitude, and held executive roles with Patagonia and O’Neill. His experience as a founder and business leader enables him to connect the personal power of purpose directly to organizational culture, engagement and performance.

Shaun is the author of the #1 Amazon bestsellers Surfer’s Code, The Code: The Power of “I Will,” and The Surfer and the Sage. He also produced and co-wrote the award-winning documentary Bustin’ Down the Door, the story of the young surfers who helped create professional surfing and build a global industry.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics and a Master of Science in Leadership from Northeastern University. Shaun is an inductee of the U.S. Surfing Hall of Fame, the South African Sports Hall of Fame and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Driven by personal loss and a profound belief in the power of positive choice, he also speaks to tens of thousands of students at universities including Harvard, USC, Kellogg, Northwestern, and others, sharing a message of hope, purpose, and resilience.