Japanese American National Museum Live Feed Judi Oyama

Live feed tomorrow night. Scheduled for Apr 12, 2025 I am doing a 3 minute speech.

Dear Ms. Oyama,

It is with great pleasure that I write to let you know that the Japanese American National Museum would like to honor you with our Award of Excellence. This award is a tribute to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in their professional fields, and your contributions to the sport of slalom and downhill skateboarding are truly exceptional. The award will be presented at our annual Benefit evening on Saturday, April 12, 2024, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles.

You have been a trailblazer in a traditionally male-dominated sport, breaking down barriers with your passion and fearless dedication. Not only were you one of the first women to compete professionally, but you also remain one of the few Asian-American skaters to achieve and maintain international championship titles. Your nearly fifty-year-long career is an inspiration to us all.

Saturday, April 12, 2025 In-Person: 5 p.m.—8 p.m. Live streamed on YouTube JW Marriott Los Angeles 900 West Olympic Boulevard Los Angeles, CA, 90015 Venu Details

Here are a few items I donated up for auction link.

Funds raised through the Benefit and the Online Auction will go directly towards supporting our mission and our education and outreach programs.

If you want to donate to help keep me racing.

USA Slalom Skateboarding is a 501c donate button select individual and then pick racer name. You can leave a note letting them know the funds are for me. Thank you!

My skateboard items in the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects

I am in a book with items I donated to the Smithsonian. I'm honored to pass on my skate history to the new generation and to be included in American Asian History. Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects invites readers to experience both well-known and untold stories through influential, controversial, and meaningful objects. Thematic chapters explore complex history and shared experiences: navigation, intersections, labor, innovation, belonging, tragedy, resistance and solidarity, community, service, memory, and joy.

Photo John Krisik took when he was the team manager for NHS. These items are in the Girlhood (It's Complicated) art exhibit.

Asian Pacific American History link.

Flyaway helmet I traded with a good friend of mine. Reb back in the late 70's. I liked the way she had pinstriped the helmet. I gave her a new one I had bought. I'm not sure how we decided to trade. I think she liked the new one I had bought and I told them I loved the one they pinlined. Long story short it's in the Smithsonian. I just ordered a book and can't wait to see it. I have know idea which items are in the book as they also have a trophy of mine I won at the UC Berkeley contest.

Meet The 63-Year-Old Female Skateboarding Pioneer Breaking Barriers & Go...

So this went live this morning. The video launches March 8th at noon on the Santa Cruz Skateboards YouTube

Thank you Alex White for producing and making this happen. Thank you Minna and Moniz for being apart of this project.

Photos by: 

Richard Oyama (my dad)

Daniel A. Anderson (studio shot)

Gary Medeiros (SJSU plexi ramp and Soquel Skatepark shot)

Michael Smiley Goldman (Pink Pool and Modesto Heat Wave)

Bill Golding mixed

Jesse Perrin (Portrait in the garage)

Reg Caselli (Black and White Capitola Classic Shot)

John Krisik mixed

Dan Devine (Hawaii and Capitola Classic speed shot)

Slalom video at Salem Oregon by John Ravitch 

Follow video at Worlds that has been getting a lot of attention on the Outside Magazine IG page by Collin Kruse

Filmed by Joey Digital Edited by Richie Valdez

Skaters in the garage Cliff Coleman, Jamie Hart, Josh Harvey and HC.

I'll add more information and links later.

Thank you

Santa Cruz Skateboards

Bronson Speed Co. Bearings

Mob Grip Tape

Clip of the Side view of the tight race

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxBZOWBaju8s84QNTHnGntbnErD-uerXo1

Sizzler Slalom Skateboard Race 1st Qualifier for the World Skate Games

Cold Fusion Sizzler 2022 Slalom Skateboard Race 

Women's Overall First Lynn Kramer in the middle, I got second and Madie Prez placed third. 

World Skate Games Qualifier, in Hockley, Texas on the Soap Box Derby Hill, is in the record books. I had raced there before so I knew the hill and that we didn’t have to footbrake which is a big plus. The only thing I was worried about for weeks was the BAR. Big Ass Ramp, a 9 foot wobbly beast of a ramp that is tilted forward so you can’t see the ramp just the asphalt. Well, it died due to termites eating it for the past few years the race was postponed.

I placed 2nd overall in the women’s division. We had the largest women’s division (6) total from age 11-62. Maggie (11) was the only junior at the race she was amazing. Isa came from New Mexico and Madee from New Orleans, Lynn Kramer from San Diego. Lynn is the reigning 15 time Women’s World Champion and is fast as F#$% beating many of the pro men.

I placed 2nd overall amongst the men with George Papas taking first and placing in the top 3 men’s Pro as well as taking the 1 slot open to go to the World Skate Games in Argentina. Isa got the women’s slot and is seated to go as well, congrats to both of them. 

This was the weekend for me to try different boards, adjust trucks and change wheels. I realized the last two runs of the weekend I had my back trucks too tight because the hybrid and tight courses were fast and tight and I started running cleaner (hitting less cones) after loosening my truck.

Lesson learned and keep adjusting you can always adjust back. Thank you to my sponsors that helped me get to the races and provided the gear I needed to skate.

@santacruzskateboards @bronsonspeedco @mobgrip @riptidesports @girlisnota4letterword @lenzarts @oldbonestherapy @cattosgraphics @turbowheels team @sk8kingsskateboards

Santa Cruz Skateboards has sponsored me since I was 16, I am 62 now.

Live feed videos of the racing:

Here is a photo of the BAR Bad Ass Ramp so you can see the regular ramp from the 9 foot ramp. 2015

Here is a video link dropping in on one of my Giant Slalom Runs from 2015.

Will Slalom Skateboarding and Downhill Racing make the next Olympics? Oldest skate career making some Herstory!

First slalom race with Lisa Harner Capitola 1975 Photo: Richard Oyama

Second downhill race Capitola Classic 1980 from the Independent Trucks Built to Grind book. Photo: Reg Caseilli

Santa Cruz Sentinel Article my mom cut out. I was the only woman racing downhill the year before. I have no photos and placed middle of the pack.

Hood River World Championships 2012 Photo: Steven King

Nevada City 2018 Photo: John Ravitch

The Bar (Bad Ass Ramp) at the Texas Sizzler is 9' tall on the far right and left images. It is tall and wobbly. No joke and you can't see the bottom and you go in kind of blind. You have a choice for a regular ramp and a shorter one. I am not sure if they are going to do that at the March race coming up. 

Skate Collector my side hustle and life long passion

For those that don't know me and wonder how a female is selling vintage skateboard items in a mostly male dominated past time. I thought I would give a little skateherstory.

I have been collecting skateboard items since I started skateboarding in 1973. I worked at NHS in the early days stuffing bearings into Road Rider 2's, shipping the first Indy trucks and silk screening Santa Cruz Skateboard decks, when NHS was located where the Santa Cruz Boardroom is now. I was one of the first sponsored female skateboarders who rode for Santa Cruz Skateboards and Independent Trucks. I still skate decades later and keep in touch with many of the skate friends I have had forever. One of the best reasons to keep skating is to hang out with friends and skate. 

I am super stoked because my Skate Collector site slowly but surely starting work. I use to sell my boards and items on eBay but I don't like how complicated they make it and they have enough money. I have tons of skate stuff and will eventually start putting more stuff up. My kids aren't interested in my old skate stuff. I'm want to share and sell stuff so I can use the money for things like a new computer and get more weight lifting gear for my backyard home gym. Yeah, as my son Ryan would say "TMI mom". For those that are interested this is my blog and I can say whatever I want.

Soon to be added on my Skate Collector website or on Instagram Skateboard Sticker Collector Screaming Hand golf balls and Ames posters.

I was one of the first Japanese female vertical and downhill skateboarders in skate herstory (female skateboard pioneer). I was probably the least photographed female skater when I was in my prime BITD and was fortunate to have a professional photographer father who would take me to skateboard parks or I would bring my own camera and ask friends to shoot thankfully Goldman shot my favorite Winchester session so there is actual proof I skated. I wish someone had footage of me doing backside full axle carve grinds during the Winchester Open. The men got coverage the women didn't.

Winchester Skatepark 1978 photo John Krisik

Winchester Skatepark 1979 photo Mike Smiley Goldman

Page from the Independent Built to Grind book Capitola Classic 1980 photo: Reg Caselli

Skating makes me happy. I have been selling some of my duplicate skate items and some items from a long time retired NHS employee who collected hard to find short run items. I sold the last pair of NOS Road Rider 6's that were from a found box of wheels that went up on the NHS museum wall. (Temporarily closed probably due to the Covid spike) It is free to tour you just need to make an appointment.

Selfie Santa Cruz Masters First Friday September 3rd 2021

 

This is the what is on the top side of my Selfie Board. 

That is on display at Greater Purpose Brewing Company 

(21517 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062)  in Santa Cruz starting 

First Friday Santa Cruz September 3, 2021. My First Friday Santa Cruz Profile.

Bottom of Skateboard

For sale $500.00 

with Board Rescue and Judi Oyama stickers.

Board Rescue T shirt in XL

Skate photo taken at Winchester Skatepark by Santa Cruz Skateboards team mate Michael Smiley Goldman January 1979. First session riding vert after being in Hawaii for 5 weeks. I was stoked to have my grinds and carves like nothing had changed. I think sometimes a break is good.

A repurposed Board Rescue board hand painted from boards donated to us from NHS or Santa Cruz Skateboards. 

Board Rescue was founded by Gary Holl.

Three of us started this non-profit with Gary. Andrew Huberman PhD and myself. We had official board meetings in his living room. Sometimes we would meet and skate before at Menlo Park. 

One of our board events in SF was building these boards from donations from NHS in combination with Levis on-site employee build skateboard day. We donated boards backpacks, and Bell Helmets.

We closed Board Rescue and tried to find others to take over but couldn't at the time we all got too busy with family and work. Below is an old write up about what we did.

Northern California Skateboarders Create Board Rescue organization to provide skateboard and safety equipment to kids in need.

Palo Alto, Calif. June 2, 2008 Skateboarding is growing faster than any other sport in the United States. Lifetime skateboarders Gary Holl, Judi Oyama and Andrew Huberman, understand the benefits of skateboarding and how it can help kids better their lives. To help encourage and educate kids to the importance of quality equipment the three have founded Board Rescue. Board Rescue’s Mission is to provide free skateboards and safety equipment to children, targeting low-income and at-risk youth.
Board Rescue was founded on the belief that Skateboarding can teach many life long lessons. Like any sport, quality equipment, is the best way to experience the sport. The organization will reach out to industry manufacturers to collect high quality equipment for distribution to youth charity organizations that work with underprivileged and or at-risk youth.
“I’ve been skateboarding for 33 years”, said Gary Holl, President and Founder of Board Rescue. “Skateboarding has taught me many things that I use in my day-to-day and professional life. It’s taught me the importance of discipline, of being able to adapt to ones environment and how to interact well with different types of people- all factors that help lead to success".
Board Rescue has received initial donations from Santa Cruz Skateboards (NHS, Inc.). "Skateboarding is a lifestyle, said Bob Denike, president of NHS-Inc and life long skateboarder. "NHS and our family of companies are proud to sponsor Board Rescue’s effort to get safe, solid equipment into the hands of deserving kids".

Among the organizations first donations was to the YMCA of San Francisco, which has been the recipient of skateboards from Board Rescue. “We are going to rely on organizations like the YMCA to provide the equipment to children that really need it”, said Judi Oyama, VP of Board Rescue. "With the donation of skateboards we received from Board Rescue, we are able to provide kids who may not have had a chance to skateboard with the opportunity to experience many of the great things this sport has to offer", said Crissie Ponciano, Richmond District FLEX skate Program, 

YMCA of San Francisco.
In addition to donating skateboarding equipment, Board Rescue members reach out to local city and school organizations to encourage both skateboarding and skateboarding safety. “Of course, all sports have inherent risks”, said Andrew Huberman, PhD and Secretary/Treasurer of Board Rescue. “Understanding how to skateboard and use safety equipment correctly improves kids’ chances of having a fun and not getting injured. Bottom line is that every kid should get an equal chance to get involved in skateboarding. Board Rescue’s goal is to make sure they get that chance”.

About Board Rescue and our Contributors
Visit Board Rescue, www.boardrescue.org no longer a org
NHS Inc, www.nhs-inc.com
YMCA of San Francisco, www.ymcasf.org

Slalom skateboarding race in Los Osos racing against the clock

Last weekend I drove to Los Osos to skate at Jonny Miller's slalom skateboard race. I had not raced cones since October 2020 cyber slalom weekend with anyone because of Covid-19. I ran cones on Saturday the day before in front of my house. My last run was fast and clean and I was happy to go out and get some exercise.

6 footers

Practice run Powerlines

Jack Smith, Stephen King, me, Wentzle Ruml, Cliff Coleman and Jamie Hart.

I placed first place after Cliff Coleman told me that he had beaten me by .2 of a second. I went back up the hill and got my fastest run of the day even with the stronger headwinds. They were closing the course at noon so I had to get a last run in. Super fun and stoked to have won the Grand Masters against men I have been skating against and with since the 70's. Jamie Hart Cliff and I skated for Santa Cruz Skateboards back in the day. 

Fun photo from Shreddie Mercury check out his website.

Thank you to everyone for being super kind and awesome. Thank you to Brad Jackman for loaning me Sk8kings Turbo wheels since I didn't have any of the bigger faster wheels. Thank you Jonny for reminding me to do a few things to get more speed. I was rusty but did well. Here's to pushing yourself and not letting your head get in your way of what your body can do.

Female Asian-American Professional Skateboarder Judi Oyama Wikipedia Page

So cool to get a Judi Oyama Wikipedia page for skateboarding. 

Thank you for whoever added me.

 I don't always get the coverage other women skaters did during the 70's. I have been skating none stop since I started and finally getting some credit. I hope I inspired other vert, downhill and women, they, them he or she skateboarders that love skateboarding as much as I do. Never Stop!

Judi Oyama Wiki Page

 

A Skateboarder made the Box Magazine Community Spirit CrossFit Faces

Photo Jessica Wade

And it was me. I had posted on the CrossFit Blog after racing at Worlds the past few years each year seeing a huge improvement in my skating because of doing CrossFit. This year in Kentucky the morning of the first day of the World Championships I realized that I had brought two right skate shoes and my CrossFit shoes. Of course I knew where the closest CrossFit was if I had time and energy. All my skate gear is black. Imagine that. I looked at my shoes and thought really? And so it goes luckily the right show is my stopping shoe which matters to me most for foot braking. My front shoe not so important but it helped to have a flat shoe sole instead of a taller running shoe. CrossFit has helped my skateboarding to keep endurance. It has helped me in so many ways mentally.

I am passionate about it as much as I am about skateboarding.

Happy New Years 2016.

Be Badass Everyday! is my goal for 2016.

Big thank you for getting an article in The Box Magazine