Were it not for Tom Blake, would you be a surfer?
Were it not for Tom Blake, would you be a surfer? Would you have logged countless hours in the water forming friendships that go from the lineup to the shore? Were it not for Tom Blake would you long for your next dawn patrol or the chance to retell stories of that one wave that seemed to go on forever?
These are questions you should ask yourself, whether you’re an uninitiated grom, a salty dog on the beach or Kelly Slater, Laird Hamilton, or Lisa Andersen. Were it not for Tom Blake what would surfing have become and more importantly, who would you be?
To some, such questions may seem too bold for consideration, but for those with a rich understanding of surf history, they are questions worth asking. And three filmmakers are working on a documentary called Surfing with Tom to ensure that Tom Blake’s story displays the amazing scope of his life and its impact on the lives of millions across the globe whose love of surf defines a large part of who they are.
That’s why the Great Lakes Surf Collective is raising funds for Surfing with Tom on Kickstarter – the story of unknown surfing and lifesaving pioneer Tom Blake, a man who changed millions of lives and then walked into obscurity, needs to be told.
Blake’s invention of the surf fin, the hollow surfboard and the wealth of lifesaving innovations like the rescue torpedo and the use of surfboards across lifeguard stands across the globe have saved thousands of lives and enriched the lives of millions upon millions more.
With just days remaining until the July 4th kickstarter deadline, the filmmakers of Surfing with Tom are realizing the challenge inherent in raising funds for a film about a man whose life and accomplishments border on the mythical. Tom’s life is one of legendary courage and endless vision, coupled with a sense of humility and isolation that lead to few knowing who he was or the full scope of what he accomplished. Given the millions of surfers sharing waves and the growth of the sport, they remain confident that Tom’s story will resonate, compelling surfers and non-surfers alike to show their support on kickstarter and convey their appreciation for what Tom has done.
Even a brief glimpse into Tom Blake’s life reveals a story that goes far beyond surfing. It is one that is all the more incredible given the timeframe in which it occurred. Born in 1902 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tom’s life abruptly changed when his mother died of tuberculosis. As an 11-month-old infant, Tom was taken in by his relatives in Washburn, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior. So began a life of uncertainty establishing a life long search for a sense of belonging and a place to call home.
Despite this, Tom’s life is marked by one of opportunities seized, challenges faced, and uncharted waters successfully traversed. Inspired by a chance encounter in Detroit with Hawaiian legend and Olympian, Duke Kahanamoku, Tom made his way west to the California coastline. In short order, he found work as a stuntman, model and actor. At the same time, he established his prowess as a swimmer, becoming champion and record holder in the ten-mile and open water swim, among other events.
Eventually Tom found his way to Hawaii. It was there, with no family and only an emerging friendship with Duke, that Tom finally found a place that he could call home.
More than a mere footnote in the history of surfing, Tom’s life is as remarkable as what he accomplished. With just days remaining, Cole and his fellow filmmakers John Ruebartsch and Eric Gietzen are working hard to spread the word, and yes, the stoke that Tom Blake has helped create.
So ask yourself: if not for Tom Blake, would you be surfing? If you define yourself as a surfer; if you make your livelihood teaching others to surf; if you make a living as a professional; own a shop, or shape boards, ask yourself what else would you be doing? If surfing has enriched your life, consider supporting the Surfing with Tom kickstarter campaign.
This is a story that needs to be told. It is a story of one of America’s greatest pioneers, and your support is a powerful way of simply saying, “Thanks Tom.”
