An Interview With Blue-Collar Shaper Mike Hearon (By Hank Lüce Ph.D.)
All photos by Seth Stafford
HL: It's been difficult to interview you...so difficult that it is now Spring, but all your photos were taken last winter
MH: It might be Spring, but it just snowed here in NJ last month
HL: What's the name of your surfboard company?
MH: (laughs) I don't really have a surfboard company. I shape and glass boards for myself and a few local NJ shredders.
HL: How do you pay the bills?
MH: I paint houses for Quality Painting in Stone Harbor, NJ. I don't make any money selling boards...I just want to make a board that works in a lot of different conditions here in NJ. From 2' mush to overhead death barrels.
HL: Do you actually shape surfboards when it is below freezing?
MH: My heat isn't that good in the garage, but yeah I'll shape if I have an idea.
HL: One last questions. How do you get into your wetsuit when the air and water are below freezing?
MH: I get changed in the paint van. After I surf I go and paint some houses.
Follow Mike Hearon on instagram: @seniorgimpo
All photos by Seth Stafford
Follow him on instagram: @sethstafford
Web: www.sethstafford.com