Thomas had the rare privilege of being born and have lived for most of his life in countries with at least some sort of wave. Born in Costa Rica to a German expatriate, he lived most of his youth in Latin America, where he was taught surfing in exchange to teaching Venezuelan kids his skateboarding tricks.

Needless to say – he was immediately hooked, and with his entire passion and mad dedication he spent most of his time on the beach, where he soon transferred his entire skateboarding skills into his goofy-footed surfing, developing a unique style and great technique.

Back in Germany for studies and Zivi* socialwork at a old peoples home he partook in the 1996 World Championships, and thanks to his performance landed a sponsoring contract with Quiksilver. He lived a couple for years in Biarritz, France, competing and travelling in the WQS.

He likes to mix up airs, hacks and barrels, basically putting on a good show for whoever is there to watch him.
In 1997 he met Gero Tragatschnig in Sylt, an island with the best surfable waves in Germany. Their friendship and passion for surfing and surfboards evolved into a business called Fatum Surfboards, which is now operating out of Peniche, Portugal.

In 2001 he moved back to Venezuela and later to Costa Rica to handle the family business. He also founded and operates Fatum Surf Travels, with several destinations in Latin America.

Living in Hermosa these days, he still surfs regularly, improving his repertoire and competing, in addition to staying fit trough yoga and boxing. In 2010 Thomas was signed on to the O’Neill freesurfing team in recognition to his constant evolution as a world class surfer.

*Zivi is the abbreviation for “Zivildienst”, the alternative to Military Service in Germany.