Michael Tomson dead at 66
Michael Tomson, the pioneering pro surfer and co-founder of Gotcha clothing, passed away in Southern California overnight. Tomson's death followed a long battle with throat cancer. He was 66 years old.
Tomson, at centre, with fellow South Africans and Gotcha-sponsored surfers, Mark Price and a young Pottz
During the formative years of pro surfing, Tomson played a supporting role to cousin Shaun Tomson, particularly when the South Africans and Australians stormed Hawaii's North Shore. However, the roles were later reversed when Gotcha, with Michael Tomson at the helm, broke new ground in the American surf industry.
With brash, bright, and obnoxious marketing campaigns, Gotcha was the US-equivalent of Australia's Quiksilver, albeit in a larger surf market. In hindsight the strategy seems less a business decision and more the personification of commerce; MT appeared in many Gotcha ads and his excesses were an advertisement to lifestyle.
Beginning in 1978, by 1985 Gotcha were making US$120 million in revenue, eventually peaking at $150 million before losing its way due to recession and outside investors taking control.
For a while, Tomson led MCD - More Core Division, or Michael's Core Division - presented as the inversion of Gotcha: dark and brooding, but in time Tomson settled into the more natural role of unconstrained industry elder who'd supply bon mots for anyone who came calling.
The Gotcha experience led Tomson to coin the phrase "size is the enemy of cool", a tension-laden maxim that every surf company since has had to address - including surf media companies.
Michael is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and his son Oliver.
Comments
Sad to hear, especially after hearing of EVH's passing this week from the same disease!
RIP.
Well written Stu,
Extraordinary human
Vale M T.
My cousin died on Friday from throat cancer- he was a brilliant AFL player and played for St. Kilda but quit due to homesickness.
2020, won't you just go away please.
RIP Michael Tomson.
Zen, I’ve enjoyed your comments/posts for years without saying a word (thanks by the way for all the insights, views, opinions etc)
Condolences mate.
There’s better days ahead, we all hope, what more can anyone say. Cheers..
RIP indeed.
Wow, cheers Sando- that's really cool. Thankyou.
I'm cool, I didn't want to make it about me, just that my cousin passed away a week ago today of throat cancer and two people of note died of the same in the last week or so.
Goof, my cousin was 61.
How old was he Zen?
Sorry for your loss mate
I'm sorry to hear that Zen. Sincere regards to your family.
All good Sheepy, cheers man, thankyou.
RIP....
Too young.
66 is young eh.
From what I’ve read though he certainly enjoyed his time on the planet, kept Pablo Escobar in business for decades.
He Charged.
Yeah he did!
Had a poster on my bedroom wall of him, way deep at Pipeline, & even backside outshone a lot of the bigger name guys there at the time.
RIP tube rider
Vale Michael Thomson. I thoroughly enjoyed his articulate recollections of surfing history especially recounting his arrival on the north shore. Great surfer. True character.
one of the most creative, innovative genius's that surfing has seen. He did it his way , and was truly great surfer...RIP mate!
He was one of the characters I remember well from the 80's I wonder if Mark Price is still with us? 66 is too young ciggies caused it?
Mark Price is CEO at Firewire. Seems to be doing fine:
https://surfsimply.com/surfboards/me-myself-and-surfing-mark-price/
(quick google jobbie)
what causes throat cancer
@bipola possibly quite a few things could cause or contribute to throat cancer....from recollection I think he used to or still did smoke a lot and may have had a liking for the yeyo.
Anything from Epstein Barr to eating lotsa Muff
RIP Michael Thomson. You can survive throat cancer if you catch it early enough. I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2018. (throat and oesophageal closely related) Never smoked and haven't touched alcohol since my mid 20's now 58. Chronic reflux and some life stress at the time caused my cancer. I'm doing well now. Going to the doctor when I first noticed some difficulty swallowing saved my life. Back in the surf too! If you ever have unusual symptoms of anything not normal please visit your gp. Early intervention in treating cancer or any illness is key. Really sorry to hear of your loss Zen Again.
Awesome Toppa and glad you're still with us. Thankyou for your story and kind words.
And again, I didn't want to make it about me, this piece should be dedicated to Michael, Huey rest his soul.
My cousin didn't smoke, he was hard as nails and lived hard. But he was a welder by trade- I wonder if that had anything to do with his throat cancer.
Good advice from Toppa- if something doesn't seem quite right, get it checked out. Ditch the she'll be right mentality. It could just save your life.
Dear Zenagain,
I feel like your comment is valid and you are worthy of condolences and comment space. This is a community and all your feelings/experiences are welcome. Including your discomfort at the attention.
Lots love mate
Cheers Billie.
Right back at you.
That's why I keep coming back to Swellnet, people like you and your ilk.
R.I.P> Michael T. Fond memories of him & Shaun helping to Bust down the door in Hawaii! Condolences to Zen ,61 is way to young ! GR8 advice from our survivor of cancer!
The legends in my youth era are slowly being summoned to ride that wave in the sky. I hope when my turn comes. When my turn comes, I hope I will be remembered for a few days on a surf website. MT joins the ranks of too many to lists here, Duke, Eddie, Rabbit Kekai, Ho, Chesser, Foo, Ace Cool, Midget F. The list is endless and we too will join it. Live life to the grandest.... see you on the other side MT.
If you Smoke Stop... If you don’t Smoke don’t Start...
Legend
SES story on MT with input from Shaun Tomsom, Paul Naude, Marc Price and others:
https://shop-eat-surf.com/2020/10/the-genius-that-was-michael-tomson/
Thanks for that link, Stu.
I was expecting it to verge on George Brothers style hagiography, but those were some really insightful and quite touching tributes.
We were good friends back in the day, both trying to be gonzo journalists on the North Shore, and we stayed in touch over the decades. Always enjoyed MT's razor sharp wit, even when he could barely speak any more. A big life cut short, sad but inevitable. RIP, mate.
From my memory they never made an impact here as we had the triumvirate already in Ripper, bongalong, and quickie. I really can't remember much about Gotcha and reading about Michael is a real eye opener. Was different without the internet.
Yeah, most of what I know is gleaned from historical reading as, like you said, the Big 3 ruled the Oz market. Also, while Bong and Quik penetrated the US market, Gotcha only made inroads here.
I think Sanga was sponsored by Gotcha?
MCD had an amazing team on their roster at one point. Dino Andino, Pottz, Sunny, Derek Ho, Mike Stewart, Mike Ho, Gerry Lopez, Cheyne Horan, Brock Little, Archy and Andrew Irons.