Donate to help Tom Flaherty

Our mate Tom (aka Flaz) had a stroke of bad luck last week when he borrowed a decent sum of money, purchased a new car, drove it home uninsured and crashed it into a tree. Fortunately he was ok. After he crashed it he got a ride home to collect his thoughts and by the time he got back to meet the tow truck some lowlife had smashed the rear and side windows and stolen all of his carpentry tools.

Tom now has no car, no money and no tools to make any money.

Tom is a life long skateboarder and has been building ramps since the very beginning, around ‘86/‘87. If you know Tom, you will know how much he loves skateboarding. He has involved himself with all aspects of skateboarding and essentially given his life to skateboarding for over 35 years. He started giving back to skating by involving himself with the Werribee Skateboard Committee in the late 1980’s to help public relations around the Werribee Vert Ramp and encourage community support in the way of organising comps and demo’s. Beginning in the early 90’s Flaz started taking his mums video camera everywhere, documenting his friends skating which eventually led into video production, working with GrindTV and FSBS video magazine. Tom also worked at the Sailyards (Original Melbourne CBD skatepark) and had been involved in judging various comps including the world class Bondi Bowlarama.

Flaz has many times loaded his van with skateboarders and done countless miles around the country touring, filming and travelling to various skate spots and competitions. He has always done his best to build the scene and the community of skateboarders around Australia. Flaz has always given more than he has received. Whether that be paying for people to travel, eat, drink, enter a comp, get a new board… he is a firm believer in the truth that he owes skateboarding more than it owes him. Flaz started making his own skateboards in 1994 and in 1997 registered Device Skateboards. For 22 years he lost money making skateboards so he could give team riders support and the opportunity to go further.

A list of builds by Flaz;

Multiple backyard mini ramps

Ring of Fire indoor bowl

World Cup Course 5 years in a row

Billabong Detour portable ramp crew

Globe indoor mini ramp/bowl.

”The Park”- Geelong indoor skatepark including a 90 ft wide vert ramp.

Work with Convic Skateparks 2007-2009

…and this just slashes the surface

Tom Flaherty needs our help! Tom is in debt, with no money and no tools. I am asking that you show support for Flaz in the form of a donation so we can get him back on the road with a circular saw in hand and off on his next selfless skateboarding adventure.

Please donate!