Some of the locals were on on a traveling competition rampage in April; we had representation at skateboard contests in Tampa, Jacksonville, Jupiter, and Dallas, Texas, and there was even a small fishing contest at Port Canaveral called The Great Optimist Fishout.
On April 22, Earth Day, we try to do our part at the Skate Park by raising awareness about energy conservation, recycling, and of course, snack on some healthy foods from Sunseed. We also did some gardening and held a small skate jam/contest just for fun. We started out with the 9-and-Under crew and some timed runs through the street course. Silas Backus came out on top with a pretty heavy bag of tricks. And Max Potter skated away with top honors for the older kids with an arsenal of tricks during the “Best Trick” contest. Aggie Leonard spearheaded the gardening table with Killian Cash and Lucas. The kids planted watermelon, peppers, cilantro, tomatoes, and cucumbers and they are already starting to sprout! Our Skate Park Garden is almost 3 years-old. As you walk around the Skate Park you will notice lots of different types of fruit growing: pineapple, tons of tomatoes, passion fruit, banana, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, sugar apples, avocados, spinach, peppers, and more. Big thanks to Sunseed Co-Op for sponsoring our Earth Day Event.
Contest News: Grace Marhoefer entered her first Bowlrider’s Cup Contest in Jacksonville last month. The contest was held in the famous Kona Pool, and Grace did awesome. She had the smoothest 50-50 grinds and the best handplants in the Women’s Division earning her 2nd Place overall. Great work, Grace! Other Locals like Steve Workman and Mike Rogers were holding it down for the Masters Division. Thanks a lot to the people of Kona for the hospitality.
Elijah Allred and Max Potter went to the Skate Park of Tampa recently and held it down for CB. Elijah got 2nd Place in the 10-12 age group and Max skated in the Sponsored Division, getting 38th out of over 50 skaters. Great work on the road, dudes!
Grace Marhoefer and River Potter went to Abacoa Skate Park in Jupiter at the end of April and brought back some trophies to CB. Grace took 1st Place in Girls and River earned 2nd Place in the Men’s 17 & Up division. Great work to you both and thanks to Tina Mila for doing most of the contest driving!
Two-time Olympic Sled Hockey Gold Medal Winner, Greg Shaw, is back on the Adaptive Action Sports contest tour. He just flew to Dallas and competed for the first time in years on his skateboard. Greg took top honors and has been buzzing around Instagram, Facebook and Twitter from his peers and friends posting his accomplishment. Greg even rocked a CB sticker on his board..A sticker that he drove all the way to the Skate Park to get, just so he could represent on the road. Big thanks and congrats to Greg!
The Great Optimist Fishout 2015, presented by Southeastern Honda, was most likely the largest we have seen. One family came to the Skate Park yesterday and told us that they were number 491. Wow! That means 491 kids and their families went fishing together on April 25, 2015. The Fishout is the brainchild of Frank Dreyer, Sr. (Rest In Peace) who came up with the concept in 1982 and put it into action in 1983 for its introductory year. The “Legend” continues each year with one real goal in mind: to catch the tagged $10,000 fish! Kids must catch their own fish and take it to get weighed and logged. The top three biggest fish in ages 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, and 14-16 win cash prizes from the Cocoa Beach Optimist Club. Winners received $25, $50, and $75 increments.
There were vendors from the Save the Manatee Club, the Sea Turtle Preservation Society, Merritt Island Football, MarineMax, and more. Sonny’s BBQ catered the lunches, while Mr. J’s Ice Cream Truck kept us all cool! Jimmy Buffett and other good “fishin’ music” was keeping the mood in the air while kids were reeling in all types of fish during the three-hour competition. Seagulls flew by, manatees and turtles made an appearance, and families enjoyed the day supporting their favorite anglers. Of course we all want to catch the $10,000 fish, but in the end the reward is for all the adults who get to witness the hundreds of smiles from the kids. We would like to thank all of the Members and Volunteers that helped make this wonderful event possible. The Cocoa Beach Optimist Club is also a proud sponsor of our Cocoa Beach Skate Park programs, so for that we want to say “Thank You!!!” The motto of the Optimist Club is to be “A Friend of Youth,” and that they are. To get involved, join or support this important club, go to www.cocoabeachoptimistclub.org for more info.
Happy Birthday Grace, Elijah, Max, Corey, and Jake! Too many birthdays! Join us on May 20 for Grace’s Birthday Session!
Lastly, when one of us loses a family member, we all lose a family member. This page is dedicated in loving memory to Norine Hessemer.
By Scooter Newell
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