Instinct's first major international signing was Tom Carroll from Newport on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Tom signed on with Instinct in the summer of 79/80 and won two world titles riding for the brand in 83/84 and 84/85. With apartheid rearing its head in 1985 and Tom boycotting the South African leg of the ASP world tour, along with several high-profile top 10 surfers. His decision to boycott damaged relationships with Instinct's senior management team, including Shaun Tomson. His contract was terminated, and he signed on with Quiksilver in a 5-year deal worth a million Dollars a year, the biggest contract in surfing history at the time!
