Expect plenty more of this from the motivated Myers. Photo: Tim Bonython
Tom Myers burst into the surfing spotlight in 2025. After two rides at Sydney’s Queenscliff Bombie that shook the internet and a Big Wave Challenge Ride of the Year award, the Aussie firefighter and carpenter has become one of the sport’s newest names.
Before the first cavern that spat him out on iPhone footage back in April, he didn’t even have an active Instagram account. Now he’s dominating surf media and featured in full-page newspaper spreads, while brands like Florence Marine X and Pyzel Surfboards have added him to their teams.
But Myers, already a father of two with a third child on the way, insists the attention won’t change who he is.
“I don’t think I would give away my job as a firefighter,” Myers told The Inertia by phone on Wednesday. “It’s too stable, and I just love the job. Helping people is sick. I don’t think I would ever give that job up for anything, but I would love to get off the tools as a carpenter. So if I can scrounge enough money together and quit that, I’d be super stoked. I’d hit a few more big wave lineups.”
Myers says the sponsorship money isn’t life-changing, but it’s nearly enough to replace the AUD $1,000 he makes each week from the carpentry he does on the side. Dropping that gig would free him to chase more swells, while his firefighting job – two 24-hour shifts a week – leaves plenty of time for surfing when he’s not with his family.
He’d be doing this s*** even if he wasn’t getting paid. Photo: Tim Bonython
While other freesurfing big wave riders like Nathan Florence and Nic von Rupp have taken the vlogging route to create careers, Myers is clear about one thing: he’s not an influencer.
“I love watching the YouTube vids, and I follow most of those guys’ stuff,” he said. “But I don’t see myself starting my own. Luckily, I’ve got a good friend with a YouTube channel where he’s starting to chase swells, so hopefully I can jump on with him on a few missions and give my sponsors a little bit of publicity.”
Since his first viral wave in April, Myers has reluctantly returned to Instagram. He said he enjoyed the years without scrolling, but admitted that having an account “has become a necessary thing in this day and age” to secure sponsorships.
Despite the new attention, Myers says he doesn’t feel pressure to perform. He considers big wave surfing his life’s purpose – alongside his kids – and maintains he’d continue regardless of money or fame.
“Getting kind words from your Kelly Slaters and your Jamie Mitchells – the absolute Dons of the sport – is super cool,” he said. “But the stuff from my close friends and family saying, ‘You made us proud,’ that’s the coolest thing for me. I heard a couple of family members cried when they were watching the awards ceremony. These are grown men who don’t cry.”
Myers, accepting his recent Ride of the Year Award. Photo: Big Wave Challenge
For now, Myers is returning home to Australia to help his wife as they prepare for their third child. He says he’ll be on dad duty for the next few months, but his wife has already told him he’s free to start tracking swells again in January. Until then, he’ll be content surfing the “dozens of good slabs” closer to home.
And to the many underground chargers who are surfing big waves without sponsors, he has a few words of wisdom.
“Keep doing it because you love it,” Myers said. “Then it doesn’t matter what the outcome is.”
