VENTURA : Surfer Shaun Tomson to Give Slide Show

Former world champion surfer Shaun Tomson tonight will present a slide show retrospective of professional surfing at Patagonia in Ventura, where he was recently hired as director of sportswear and surf wear.

Tomson, 40, recently moved from his native South Africa with his wife, Carla, and 5-year-old son to take the job at the Ventura-based outdoor clothing company.

During his 15 years on the world professional surfing tour, Tomson became the unofficial spokesman for the sport. He won numerous contests, claiming the world title in 1977.

Since leaving the world tour, he successfully launched two surf clothing companies, one in Southern California and one in South Africa.

“We hired Shaun not because he was a world-champion surfer but because he has a very strong business background,” said Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia’s owner and founder. “The part of him being the famous surfer is a real bonus, though.”

Tomson said he is delighted to return to Southern California, the center of the world’s surfing culture. He said he plans to be active in the sport, speaking to students and helping with coastal protection issues.

“Everything I have achieved is from surfing,” Tomson said. “I’d like to give something back and help out the young blokes.”

Beginning at 7 p.m., Tomson will show slides of himself and other professional surfers and share his views on the growth of professional surfing.

The slide show will be held at Patagonia’s Great Pacific Iron Works store, 235 W. Santa Clara St., Ventura. Organizers are asking for a $3 donation to benefit the Surfrider Foundation, a coastal protection group. For more information, call 643-6074.