Welcome to Tom Mahady's Shaping School Page.
Where to start is the first thing that comes to mind with this write up? Is it the  Friday all-nighter to finish the airbrushing or the spark plug that didn't want to stay in Tom's Truck?

I think it would be best to say it was Tom unyielding passion in the face of adversity that is most memorable. That's "Tits" as Tom would say.
Tom jumped into the mix with both feet and wasted no time, and I mean no time. He saw the blank I had in the shop and not 20 minutes later cut into it with the plainer. I have to say Tom craftsman trade help him shape his blank faster that any other student I have had yet, and it was 10'1". All was going well until.....Da Du..Daaaaa....The airbrushing. At first the paint mix was too light. then tap off section would not blend with the other color. Most would say third times the charm. NOT...maybe forth or fifth in this case. Due to the holiday Tom could not schedule until the following week but was aiming to get the board done asap. Surrealg-G accepted the misguided teachings in the ways of airbrushing and took it upon himself to make it right. After a few times sanding and a all-nighter on Redbull and coffee Surreal-G was just finishing the final touches as Tom pulled into the shop Saturday morning 8:30am with a extremely loud car. We had some time before we could even think about glassing so Tom took a look under the trucks hood. Turns out a spark plug blew completely out of the engine, and Tom lives about a hour away, so it was decided to solve the car issue prior to any board work. Off to the auto body shop (New Years Eve-Day I believe). When we returned the spark plug didn't fit because the housing was completely stripped. (10:30 am) Off to the auto repair shop down the street. No luck...(11:15am) Off to the Ford dealership in Way off of rt.46 and a fun "hazard light on" 15mph cruise and the busiest section of 46 in the state. Once there, no one in the service department. At around 12:15 Surreal-G decided to call it a day due to bad karma and bring Tom home. 2:30-ish, Surreal-G crashes.

Glassing the following week went smooth, and due to the color of the board we decided to use a taping technique on the glass laps which turned out "Tits" lol. Jan/6th/2007 The sanding begins at about 8:30am and is finished without incident at about 1:15, and board turned out great. Oh by the way Tom us using his Fiancé's VW wagon which fit the finished board with about an inch to spare.

Later that day I had the privilege of surfing with Tom on Witting ave in Manasqaun, and saw Tom catch the first wave he paddled into.

Overall my experience with Tom was defiantly one to remember. Ups and down, but a great time and person to work with.

Enjoy the board Tom between its cost and the cost of the repairs on your car (which still has not been determined) YOU EARNED IT!
Since Toms Class he has begun shaping, and describes is as more of an addiction than a hobby. To see more of Toms Boards go to Stores & Affiliates Page or directly to Mahady Surfboards Page.

If you have any questions or would like some information on how to build your own surfboard, please contact Gene at surrealg@essencesurf.com

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