Surfer and the Sage: A Guide to Survive and Ride Life’s Waves
With Shaun Tomson and Noah benShea
Santa Barbara, CA. May 1, 2022 – The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) will present
“The Surfer and the Sage: A Guide to Survive and Ride Life’s Waves,” an in-person lecture
presentation by former World Surfing Champion, Shaun Tomson, and best-selling author and
public philosopher, Noah benShea. This event, which coincides with the publication of their
book by the same title, will offer their guidance and experience in managing life’s ups and
downs. It will take place at the museum on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 7pm PT, and the
authors will be available for a book signing immediately following the presentation. Registration
is required. Cost is free for SBMM’s Navigator Circle Members, $10 for all other members, and
$20 for members of the public. There will also be a pre-lecture reception for members only
from 6:15-6:45pm. Register at: https://sbmm.org/santa-barbara-event/ and become a member
at https://sbmm.org.
According to Amazon, which already has the book at #1, “Sometimes life’s waves knock you
down; other times, life might seem to sweep you along powerless[ly]. But the choice is always
yours to swim back up to the light. Legendary world champion surfer Shaun Tomson and
international bestselling poet-philosopher Noah benShea join forces to offer insight on a path
of purpose, hope, and faith. This timely guidebook alternates between Tomson’s inspiring
experiential essays and benShea’s spiritual commentary that lift the soul, all accented with
stunning full-color surfing photographs…The Surfer and the Sage addresses the ten relentless,
breaking waves of life, from loss and aging to relationships and
depression, and guides you to transformation. It is not a list of rules
to follow that guarantee success, health, or wealth, but rather a
collection of advice from two guides who have traveled far and wide
and suffered deeply, but still look forward to tomorrow with faith and
hope.”
Shaun Tomson, a native of South Africa, is a former World Surfing
Champion and has been described as one of the greatest and most
influential surfers of all time (Surfer Magazine 1999). He is an
inductee in the US, Jewish, and the South African Sports Halls of Fame
and is also a world-renowned leadership mentor, entrepreneur,
environmentalist, actor, and best-selling author. Shaun is a past board member and ambassador for Surfrider Foundation, the world’s largest environmental group dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans, waves and beaches and he received the SIMA Environmentalist of the Year Award in 2002. He is a past board member of Santa Barbara Boys and Girls club and is an ambassador for Boys to Men, a youth mentoring organization. Shaun, who currently lives with his wife and son in Santa Barbara and still finds time to chase the perfect wave, is the author of Surfer’s Code and The Code: The Power of “I Will.”
Noah benShea is one of North America’s most respected and beloved
public philosophers. He is the international best-selling author of 20 books
translated into 18 languages and a source of strength to millions around
the world. His inspirational thoughts have dramatically impacted the
workplace, and appear in hospitals, banks, and on over 30 million
Starbucks Coffee Cups. His weekly columns on life were published for five
years by the New York Times Regional Syndicate and nominated for the
Pulitzer Prize. He has spoken at the Library of Congress, is included in the
Congressional Record, been published by Oxford University Press, and the
World Bible Society in Jerusalem. A highly sought after public speaker, he
is the National Laureate for the ALS Association.
Since 2000, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has featured many artifacts and stories to
share the history of the Santa Barbara Channel with more than 40,000 visitors annually and
provides year-round experiential maritime history and marine science education for local
youth. . Featuring the impressive First-Order Fresnel Lighthouse Lens from Point Conception,
SBMM’s current exhibits explore the History of Oil in Santa Barbara Channel & Chumash Use of
Asphaltum, the Honda Disaster, Wives and Daughters: Keepers of the Light, and Whales Are
Superheroes!
SBMM is located in the historic Santa Barbara Waterfront Center building at 113 Harbor Way,
Suite 190, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. Visit sbmm.org or call (805) 962-8404 for further details.