January 27, 2009 8:32 AM CST

MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition

By Tim O’Toole

Cheer on some of the industry’s best masons as they compete to become the 2009 Fastest Trowel on the Block Champion!

The Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition, hosted by the MCAA, is a showcase of industry craftsmanship and a testament of both the speed and skill of our industry's workforce. Only those journeymen masons who have the skill, confidence and courage to face-off with the industry's best are invited to compete.

The competition will pit journeyman masons, accompanied by their two favorite tenders, against one another in a show of both speed and craftsmanship. Each contestant's goal is to complete as much of an 18-blocklong wall as possible, using 8"x8"x16" CMU and the provided mortar in a twenty-minute heat. Contestants must have a high degree of workmanship using normal masonry practices and hand tools.

The contest promotes quality training and pride in workmanship among journeymen and contractors, as well as promoting the craftsmanship, speed and versatility of masonry systems and the masonry workforce. This contest also rewards and highlights the country's best mason journeymen for their hard work and dedication to the trade.

The competition will be held Thursday, February 5, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM at the Gold Lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center in the front of North Hall.

For more information about the competition including rules, a list of past winners and video of last year’s competition, please visit www.fastesttrowel.com.

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About the Author

Tim O’Toole is the Director of Marketing, Education, and Information Technology for the MCAA. He has a Masters in Business Administration from Webster University and has worked in the masonry industry since 2003.