Paddle-out pays tribute to Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson
By Orange County on November 14, 2020
Surfers gathered at the same spot Michael Tomson could be found catching waves at his home break in Laguna Beach, paying tribute Saturday, Nov. 14, to the surf-industry influencer who helped create the popular Gotcha brand.
Ed Kini takes a selfie with Shaun Tomson, left, cousin of Michael Tomson, and his brother Paul, and former professional surfer Ian Cairns, right, as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer
Former professional world surfing champion Shaun Tomson, center, greets friends as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Surfers carry flowers as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Former world surfing champion Alisa Schwarzstein Cairns and over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer
Over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Former professional world surfing champion Shaun Tomson, cousin of Michael Tomson, says a few words as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Paul Tomson, cousin of Michael Tomson, greets friends as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Surfers celebrate as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Former professional world surfing champion Shaun Tomson, cousin of Michael Tomson, is blessed during the ceremony as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer
Warren Ellison, cousin of Michael Tomson, says a few words as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Former professional world surfing champion Shaun Tomson, cousin of Michael Tomson, and his brother Paul, left, say a few words as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer
Bill Sharp, kneeboarder and founder of the XXL Surfing Awards and over 100 other people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Former professional world surfing champion Shaun Tomson, cousin of Michael Tomson, and his brother Paul say a few words as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Michael Tomson’s business partner Joel Cooper says a few words as Paul Tomson, Michael’s cousin, stands next to him as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Michael Tomson’s son, Oliver, says a few words as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Paul Tomson, cousin of Michael Tomson, blows a conch to start the ceremony as over 100 people attend a paddle-out memorial for Gotcha co-founder Michael Tomson Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 in Laguna Beach. Michael Tomson was a professional surfer from South Africa and a well known figure in the surf industry who died Oct. 7, 2020.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
“A true creative spirit and trailblazer whose impact will continue to leave ripples in the ocean and on land for generations to come,” an announcement for the ocean tribute read. “This ceremony is in honor of his life and his legacy.”
The traditional Hawaiian paddle-out ceremony brought friends and family to Agate St. Beach, some who took to the chilly ocean to send their surfer-style goodbye.
Prior to creating the Gotcha brand, which was among the first surf brands to bridge into the mainstream market, Tomson was part of an early group of surfers, including cousin Shaun Tomson, who pushed to make surfing more than just a fun pastime, but a legitimate, competitive sport.
He teamed up with partner Joel Cooper to create the Gotcha brand in South Africa in 1978, a year later bringing it to the United States for expansion.
The growth of the brand was documented in the book “Goin’ Big: Gotcha and the Evolution of Modern Surf Style,” published by Bob Mignogna, former publisher of Surfing Magazine, and written by Kevin O’Sullivan, detailing how Cooper and Tomson started the brand with just $30,000, working out of a room in Tomson’s Laguna Beach house.
Gotcha was the first surf brand to open the door into department stores. The style was different than what existed in the surf world at the time, more fashion-forward with bright neon colors and styles such as longer walking shorts.
Tomson’s influence went beyond surf apparel. He was one the founders and the second president of the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association, or SIMA, helping to unite surf brand leaders that were rivals in shops, but friends in the water.
Tomson also helped create the Waterman’s Ball, the industry’s marquee fundraiser that through the years has raised more than $8 million for ocean-related causes.
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