Hall of Fame skater coming to Marion County

Jess Rodriguez catches some air at the Ocala Skate Park on Sept. 1, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

Rodney Mullen won his first world skateboard championship at the age of 14 and over the following decade won 34 out of 35 freestyle contests, establishing the most successful competitive run in the history of the sport, according to his website.

He is widely considered the most influential street-skater in the history of the sport, having invented many of the tricks used today, including the street Ollie, kick-flip, 360-flip, Impossible and others. He studied math and engineering at the University of Florida in Gainesville before he co-founded the World Industries skate company in the 90’s, which later was acquired by Globe Shoes. He is a member of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and has appeared in multiple skate films and video games.

Mullen will attend the grand opening of the Ocala Skate Park on March 28 as Ocala Recreation and Parks, in partnership with The Boardr, celebrates completion of the park’s expansion. 

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 517 NE Ninth St. and will feature live music, food trucks, trick competitions, prizes and giveaways. Mullen will speak during the ribbon-cutting ceremony and participate in meet-and-greet opportunities. The event is free and open to the public.

The newly expanded Ocala Skate Park offers additional street and bowl features designed to accommodate skaters of all levels. The improvements enhance flow, increase capacity for competitions and create new opportunities for community programming and regional skate events.

That evening, the Reilly Arts Center will host a free screening of “Bones Brigade: An Autobiography” at the Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m. It documents the rise of the iconic Bones Brigade skateboarding team and its impact on the sport. The team featured some of skateboarding’s most influential athletes, including Mullen, who will participate in a question-and-answer session from 6:30 to 7 p.m. The film is rated PG. 

For more information, visit ocalafl.gov/skatepark or call (352) 368-5517.

Find a prior “Gazette” article about the expansion here: Community and camaraderie | Ocala Gazette