Donavon Frankenreiter’s journey begins with a love for the ocean—a kinship that shaped his identity, first as a professional surfer and later as a celebrated singer-songwriter and artist. Sitting down with him feels like catching up with an old friend. His warm energy and natural storytelling draw you into a life that’s anything but ordinary.
Donavon’s formative years were steeped in coastal Southern California culture. “I grew up in Mission Viejo,” he shares. “My parents were really supportive. Even though they didn’t surf themselves, they loved the beach, and that’s where I found my love for the water.”
At age 10, Donavon rode his first boogie board. At 12 he received a surfboard—a gift that changed his life forever. “I remember the first time I stood up on a real board,” he says. “It was incredible. I was hooked.”
A childhood obsession turned into a teenage career when, at 16, he became a professional surfer and part of the legendary Momentum Generation. Donavon’s parents stood by his dream amid skepticism from their peers and pressure for him to pursue a more conventional path.
“Surfing wasn’t seen as a legitimate career at the time. It wasn’t like becoming a lawyer or a doctor,” he explains. “But my parents believed in me.”
Donavon’s path to music was serendipitous, sparked by a chance encounter with a guitar while on a surf trip as a teen. “A friend taught me three chords, and it was like a light bulb went off,” he remembers. “The same way I fell in love with surfing, I fell in love with music.”
His early years were spent learning guitar on the road, often asking fellow musicians to show him new chords. For years he played in local bands and performed cover songs, but it wasn’t until his wife, Petra, encouraged him to write his own music that his artistry took a leap forward.
“Petra told me, ‘Who cares if you succeed or fail? At least you’re playing your own stuff.’ That changed everything for me,” he says.
Donavon’s first song, “On My Mind,” was a heartfelt ode written for Petra. From there his songwriting quickly flourished. His big break came when fellow surfer-musician Jack Johnson signed him to his Brushfire Records label.
“We recorded my first album at Jack’s home studio in Oahu,” he says. “Then he took me on the road for two years. It was an incredible way to start my music career.”
For Donavon, surfing and music complement each other. “They’re both escapes for me,” he says. “They require you to be present, and neither of them ever gets boring. You’re never going to ride the same wave twice, just like you’re never going to write the same song twice.”
His balanced approach allowed him to thrive in both worlds, creating a unique lifestyle that merges the two passions. “I feel fortunate to have been able to tour and play music while continuing to surf all over the world,” he shares. “I’ve met incredible people, experienced different cultures and seen places I could only dream of.”
Donavon’s creativity extends beyond music and surfing. During his travels he was exposed to fine art, which opened a new avenue of expression. “I was never into art until I visited places like the Louvre and the Vatican,” he says. “Seeing those masterpieces in person blew my mind.”
Encouraged by friends and artists, Donavon began experimenting with painting and mixed media. “I had no formal training, but I just went for it,” he explains. His works range from bold abstracts to large-scale outdoor installations, like a striking 3D Jimi Hendrix mural made with hammered nails.
For Donavon, art is one more way to stay creative and curious. “I love how art can be anything—paintings, sculptures or something entirely new. It’s inspiring to see what people create.”
Throughout his journey, Donavon’s family has been his anchor. He credits Petra with being the driving force behind his career and their two sons, Hendrix and Ozzy, as sources of inspiration.
“I couldn’t do what I do without Petra’s support,” he says. “She’s the one who encouraged me to write songs and chase my dreams.” The love they have for each other is truly inspiring, and Petra continues to be a muse for Donavon’s songwriting.
Petra, also wildly talented, collaborated with Donavon to open The Barn 808 in Hanalei on the north shore of Kauai. This eclectic retail store, encased in reclaimed teak from Indonesia, perfectly reflects the couple’s aloha bohemian lifestyle. Impeccably curated, the store has become a go-to shopping destination for both tourists and locals. Buoyed by personal and professional lives built on authenticity, the couple enjoys a loyal following across the globe.
When he’s not on tour or in the studio, Donavon cherishes time at home in Kauai, where he surfs with his sons, works in the garden, hangs at the shop and reconnects with Petra. “Being home recharges me,” he says. “It’s where I find balance and peace.”
Both Hendrix and Ozzy are carving their own paths. Hendrix, also a talented musician, is working on his debut album, while Ozzy has expressed interest in culinary school. “I’m excited to see what they do,” Donavon says with pride. “It’s amazing to watch them find their passions.”
In recent years, Donavon has become a central figure here in the South Bay, particularly at the BeachLife Festival—a celebration of music and surf culture in Redondo Beach. “It’s a special event,” he says. “The location, right by the ocean, makes it magical. It’s a small, intimate festival where you can see incredible bands without feeling overwhelmed.”
A standout moment in his career, Donavon broke a mark set by Guinness World Records when he played in all 50 states in just 49 days. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he admits. “The logistics were insane, but the experience was unforgettable.”
At another recent memorable event, Donavon experienced the joy of sharing the stage with Hendrix at BeachLife Festival two years ago. The young musician follows in his father’s footsteps with a love for surfing and music.
Now 53, Donavon shows no signs of slowing down. With 12 albums under his belt and a new record in the works, he continues to explore new creative horizons. “I’m excited about the future,” he says. “Whether it’s music, art or surfing, I’m always looking for the next wave.”
A full life comes with its share of sacrifices, especially with the constant touring. “There are so many times when I’m not home, and it’s all about that give-and-take,” he says. “You have to ask yourself how much are you willing to sacrifice to turn your passion into a career, and then into your life’s work?”
Donavon loves the simple things in life: surfing, playing music and spending time with his family. The lyrics to one of his recent songs, “All I Ever Wanted” from his latest album Get Outta Your Mind, encapsulate his dream:
“I never knew how lucky I was
It must have been heaven-sent because
All I ever wanted was a slice of paradise and you
All I ever wanted was two palm trees and a view”
Donavon is a living testament to the power of following your passions while surrounding yourself with love and support. “I feel lucky every day,” he says. “To live a life doing what I love is the greatest gift.”
