Shaun in action. The Light Shines Ahead - and he is living proof.
Delmaine, Chrissie (AVI - Snackworks), Vicki, Yolandi & Lindi
Vicki and Hilton with Shaun Tomson. What an honour.
Pass on the STOKE! Thanks Dean and Donna for this opportunity!
Recently, event promotion company, Synchronised, was tasked with promoting ‘The Light Shines Ahead,’ a talk by Shaun Tomson, former world surfing champ turned motivational speaker/entrepreneur/father/author/all-round good guy. Twyne was asked to be a sponsor and tasked with the event advertising and graphics.
The venue was the Sandton Sun, the date, 3 August.
As a promotions company, you know you’ve done good when the event you’ve promoted packs out, and more chairs need to be brought in to accommodate the extras. It’s especially good when proceeds go to such a worthy cause, in this instance, the charities Cotlands and iCare. Everyone was really stoked.
So hats off to Synchronised; and a BIG thank you from Twyne Ideas Co. It was a blast and an honour working with you.
But the stars of the show weren’t any of the sponsors, nor the charities. The star was Shaun and, I must add, the colourful cast of characters he included in his talk. It’s a compelling account of his life, his loss, and the lessons of the surf.
From the outset it was evident that here was more than just the hot, tanned surfer dude you see in the pics. Shaun is eloquent and engaging, wisely showing how surviving the waves equates to surviving in life. The result is hugely entertaining, sometimes outrageous, often humorous, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting.
Sitting amongst the 650-strong audience in the heart of Sandton (doll) might seem like a far cry from Shaun’s world of waves, but thanks to the vivid pictures on the AV screen – some of the biggest waves I’ve certainly ever seen – and the fact that Shaun’s story is for everyone, it hit home.
I walked out almost feeling the salt on my skin. After what was essentially a very intimate talk, I had the sense that, had I met Shaun in the foyer, I would greet him as a friend. I’d just be careful not to say: “Hey, are you Shaun Tomson?” Because—Well, the next time Shaun brings his talk to town, make a point of going. And you’ll find out what happens after that particular question … It’s hilarious.
