From
competitive swimming to surfing, Australians have found and built a unique love
affair with watersports. Some of the best and world famous swimmers are from
Australia like Ian Thorpe, Dawn Fraser, and Grant Hackett. When it comes to
surfing, probably the most prominent Australian player is no less than Tom
Carroll.
Being
surrounded by waters, Australia is a natural habitat for surfing. The country
has become a ripe breeding ground for world-class and world champion surfers.
Carroll, as one of the most decorated and influential Australian surfers of all
time, has paved the way for younger surfers of today to become well known. He
definitely boosted and streamlined the popularity of surfing in the country.
The young kids who watched him during his prime years are the current title
holders in different surf competitions not only in Australia but in other parts
of the world as well.
Before the Legend Became a Legend
All
legends have to start somewhere. The name of Carroll did not rank with the most
famous and highly skilled surfers in Australia during the 1970s because he was
still a “nobody” then. During that decade, Carroll’s passion to excel in
surfing was there, but his skills were not yet ready for the bigger stages.
Because of relative short stature of five feet and six inches, he did not have
an imposing presence offshore, but this did not cost his passion for the waves.
Since surfing was once branded as a tall man’s sport, Carroll had a harder time
proving his skills in the surfing community; however, when he started amassing
medals, his name got slowly recognized by his peers and fans.
In
1974, he became the New South Wales Schoolboys Champion, signaling his way
towards greatness in no time. True enough, in 1977, he was named the Pro Junior
Champion, a feat he repeated in 1980. Since then, Carroll not only became a
local legend but an international phenom in some respects. From being ranked
24, he made his way to the top 10. In 1983, he took the Wave Wizards title in
Florida, USA. In 1985, he made a name for himself in the World Inland Pro in
Pennsylvania for winning the title. However, perhaps his sweetest victory
during the 1980s was when he got the World Title in 1983, sweeping his 13
events with emphatic victories.
The Odds Became History
He is
short and goofy-footed. When you see Tom Carroll, you will not easily associate
him with world pro surfer, much more a former world champion. However, because
of his passion to ride the waves, he did not let his limitations and critics
get the best of him. He proved them wrong in the sweetest and sincerest way
possible – winning medals after medals and getting recognitions after
recognitions. Because of his victories, he did not only become a famous surfer
but also an icon in the world of surfing. Today, Australian surfers put him on
their list of most influential surfers the country has ever produced. He also
paved the way for world champions who are goofy-footed as he is the first world
champion who surfs with goofy foot. Needless to say, Carroll reinvented surfing
using his skills and passion. He did not let stereotypes shatter his dreams of
becoming a world champion.
Influencing the World
The
challenges of the waves did not only make Tom Carroll a one-of-a-kind surfer
but also a great student of life. The challenges that once almost stopped him
from surfing made him a better individual. This is why he is a most
sought-after keynote speaker in
Australia today. Aside from serving as a surfing icon, he also finds time
motivating other people achieve their dreams despite challenges. As a celebrity
guest keynote speaker, he motivates people to do more regardless of the
challenges they may face in life.
