- April 19, 2024
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Donald Summerlin, owner of Donnie's Donuts, practices while Daytona Beach resident Bradley Maxon watches and gives him pointers. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ormond Beach resident Weston Reichert hasn't done bike tricks for the last few months, but the cooler weather brought him back out. Photo by Paige Wilson
Brandon Koss said he comes to the skate park because it's something fun to do in what's sometimes an inactive city for events. Photo by Paige Wilson
Brandon Koss, Sterling Watts and Mike Haley take a break in between tricks. Photo by Paige Wilson
Thomas Ceku does a skate trick. Photo by Paige Wilson
Donald Summerlin, Thomas Ceku and Bradley Maxon watch a skater do tricks. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ormond Beach resident Brenden Trutschel catches some air. Photo by Paige Wilson
Daytona Beach resident Bradley Maxon does an old-school rock to fakie. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ormond Beach resident Weston Reichert has only been doing bike tricks for about one year, but he's ready to keep practicing in the cooler Florida fall weather. Photo by Paige Wilson
Chase Bibik rides the rail on the halfpipe. Photo by Paige Wilson
Donald Summerlin rocked back and forth on his skateboard on a half pipe at Nova Community Park as the sun set on Thursday, Nov. 16. With pads on his elbows and knees and a helmet on his head, the 51-year-old Daytona Beach resident was ready in case of a fall; he's a little out of practice.
A few months ago, Summerlin got back on the board for the first time in 30 years.
"This is better than a gym," he said. "Being an older man, I want to exercise."
Summerlin started skateboarding when he was 8 years old, but after an unrelated injury that left two metal plates in his arm when he was 19, it was hard to get back into the swing of things. Then, adulthood caught up to him: he got married, had children and opened Donnie's Donuts in Ormond Beach in August 2015.
"Now that I don't have to go to soccer practice (for my kids), I can go skate for myself," Summerlin said.
The skate court on 440 N. Nova Road was revamped in 2016, and a swarm of youth from Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach showed off their tricks as Summerlin watched and encouraged them.
Summerlin said he plans on coming out to the skate court a few times a week to stay in shape and have some fun when he's not running Donnie's Donuts at 200 E. Granada Blvd.
