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Earlier this week, revered Australian shaper, Kym Thompson, was tragically killed in a motorcycle crash in Thailand. The surveillance footage shows Thompson losing control of his motorcycle while swerving to avoid an oncoming truck before hitting an electrical pole. First responders attempted CPR, but Thompson died after suffering a broken neck, arm and legs from the impact. 

The Victorian-born surfer was a junior state champion and followed his passion for shaping boards from the age of 15. After decades of shaping for other brands such as Rip Curl, Klemm-Bell and Pat Morgan he created his own surfboard brand, ‘Water Cooled’ in 1975. Thompson was based in Torquay before moving to Thailand to work for surfboard manufacturer, Cobra Surfboards. 

Cobra Surfboards released the following statement on the sad news.  

‘Kym was one of the Cobra Core Team members. He came to Cobra with his Water Cooled brand from Australia back in the 80s with the dream of shaping amazing boards and developing a mass-production solution for the surfboard industry. 

‘Kym achieved these goals and so many more along the way, a true industry legend that will be missed by many. Our condolences to the entire Thompson Clan.’ 

Thompson’s passing draws further attention to the dangers of riding motorcycles in countries such as Thailand and Bali. Iconic New Zealand surfer and shaper Allan Byrne suffered a similar fate in 2016 when he died after a motorcycle accident in Bali. The lack of traffic control and poor road infrastructure in these countries heightens the possibility of being killed or maimed in motorcycle accidents. Some estimates suggest that more than 1000 people (locals and travellers) die from motorbike and scooter related incidents every year on Bali.      

A funeral service is set to be held at the Samnak Bok temple in Chonburi from November 1 to 5 prior to his body being cremated.

RIP Kym Thompson. Tracks sends love to his family & friends.