January 16, 2011 10:00 AM CST

The Fastest 20 Minutes in Masonry

Watch the best in the industry compete

By Tim O’Toole

The Fastest Trowel on the Block, presented by QUIRKETE and 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, January 20, 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.