THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 10, 1994 TAG: 9408090124
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Virginia Beach - land of swimming, surfing, jet skiing, sailing, fishing and . . . snowboarding.
At least for Thom Forster - avid snowboarder and snowboard shop owner. While others are still enjoying summer's bounty of outdoor sports, Forster will soon be getting ready for another winter season for his Laskin Road snowboard shop.
When the heat and humidity disappear, Forster will bring everything back out of storage and keep his fingers crossed for a long, cold winter with lots of shushing down the slopes.
For now, he's enjoying the summer life - and waiting for snow.
Full name: Thomas Edward Forster.
Hometown: Virginia Beach.
What brought you to the Beach? A 1963 Chevrolet Impala.
Birthdate: March 20, 1966.
Occupation: Winter: owner Gravity Snowboard Shop. Summer: manager Mahi Mah's.
Nickname: Thom - friends pronounce it with the H.
Marital status: Single.
Children: None.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Road trip to Philadelphia to catch a Phillies day game and the Huffamoose at Dock Street Bar and grill
Last smart thing you did: Retired the ``Vette'' and bought a new car.
Last dumb thing you did: Tried to ride my bike home from ``the block'' in a less than sober state - sans seat.
Favorite meal: ``Black Chic'' - no beans, extra sundried tomatoes/any sushi.
Favorite movies: ``Fast Times at Ridgemont High,'' ``National Lampoon's European Vacation,'' ``ET,'' ``Blind Date,'' ``In the Name of the Father.''
Favorite song: Changes weekly. This week ``Solitude'' by Edwin McCain or any new Huffamoose.
Last book read: ``Tales from Margaritaville'' by Jimmy Buffett.
Hobbies: Working out, biking, surfing, snowboarding, music, reading the paper.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Not to get stressed at the small things and lose sight of the big picture.
Secret vice: She knows who she is - if we printed names it wouldn't be a secret vice.
Favorite restaurant: Phil's Grill and Mahi Mah's
Your favorite night on the town: Dinner at Phil's, either an Old Dominion University basketball or Tides game, or a concert, drinks at the Edge and last call at Phil's.
Favorite TV shows: Anytime the Phillies or Steelers play, Sportcenter, Weather Channel.
Favorite sport: Snowboarding.
Last vacation: Snowboarding in Utah - thanks Rick.
Pets: I substitute my tropical plants. They never get out and get lost.
Worst job: Waiting tables in a restaurant in Austria and not being able to communicate with the kitchen.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Having built a business that I enjoy and never having to take a 9-5 job.
What would you like on your epitaph? We came, we saw. Let's go have a beer. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVIB B. HOLLINGSWORTH
Thom Forster
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB