"The Curiosity Effect" Judi's Roku shoot in Santa Cruz

I have to say 2024 has been quite a year. The World Skate Games in Italy, several news interviews, a continuing Japanese American History skate documentary project and this Roku The Curiosity Effect. I had the most amazing experience shooting this piece with Roku. I had no idea how large this project was until the night before when I got emailed the call sheet that had 17 people on it. This was the biggest crew so far.

Invitation to represent the USA Slalom Skateboarding Team Letter

 

I am honored to get a letter to join the USA National Slalom Skateboard Team. 

This is my final year of big contests. Though I said that going to the World Skate Games in 2022 and podiumed on the first day placing 3rd in the Hybrid. I placed 4th overall against all age women. Some as young as 12 to the 9 years younger. I was the oldest competitor racing skateboards. I think I was the oldest athlete at the event. I will need to confirm that.

This year I was planning on going to 2 races before September. I got sick the night before going to the Presidents Race and had to cancel going. It was a tough decision as I had the film Clara Shuku Mokri the director of the mini documentary and Lou Nakasako the co-documentary filmer plus an extra person for the day of the race. I had Jamie Hart flying to meet me and we were going to travel to the hotel in the same rental car. Since I caught C I didn't want to be around anyone and so everyone canceled. I was bummed but it happens.

This year I am going to the Texas Sizzler March 22-24 in Hockley Texas on a soap box derby hill. and coaching Leiola a super talented and young slalom racer. It will be her first slalom race competition. They will have the largest drop in ramp measuring 12 feet high. I have only done 10 and it's scary. I try not to think about the ramp and will just see how I feel the day of the race.

28515 Old Washington Rd, Hockley, TX 77447

Yesterday I saw a post that the World Championships of Banked Slalom were going to be held in New Mexico. I immediately contacted Isa Ruiz a USA slalom team mate and awesome young racer who's dad puts on the race. I have always wanted to skate Ditch Slap because it's suppose to be epic. 

In order to fund my racing I'm asking my sponsors to help fund my travel fees by putting brand logos on my board, helmet and jersey.

USA Slalom Skateboarding Donation Link

If you want to sponsor me directly and get a tax letter. USA Slalom Skateboarding is a 501c nonprofit and if you put my name down in the description area the funds will be set aside for my travel expenses. Same goes for LaCosta Racing another nonprofit I am a team rider. Put my name in the description so it will be saved for my racing expenses to get to Rome in September. Thank you!!!

Current Sponsors:

Catto's Graphics Boardroom Racing, Lenz Arts, RipTide Sports, Insta360 Santa Cruz Skateboards, Bronson Speed Bearings, MobGrip, Sk8kings Skateboards, Sk8kings Turbo Wheels, Girlsnota4letterword, Laird SuperFoods, Old Bones Therapy, 187killerpads, Old Lady Gains cool woman owned former Masters CrossFitter Kim Munoz and badass. I love her messaging and posts on her social media.

Adding more sponsors so I can update my jersey for the World Championships of banked slalom and will update again for the World Skate Games if I get more paid sponsors.

Thank you everyone who has already sent money and helped me. If I missed anyone please hit me up.

Another view.

Here is a link to the 10 foot ramp and 9 foot ramp Texas had but it got eaten by termites.

Current media links:

KAZU article on our local NPR station

Santa Cruz Style Magazine

Thanks Seal for putting the article in the magazine. Thanks Neil Pearlberg off the Lip Radio for writing the story. Available to pick up at Lenz Arts and in Aptos next to Companion Bakery.

More media projects in the works. I am super honored and stoked for the interest in my story it helps me keep skating and going for it.

 

Operation Surf Skate-A-Thon Santa Cruz 2021

Skate-A-Thon Skate for Good

I am gathering the skaters in our local community in Santa Cruz, Aptos, Watsonville and NorCal folks to spend a weekend skateboarding and raising funds for Operation Surf. 

August 13-15, 2021

Donate to Judi Oyama's Relentless Team here

Skater Lara Botto ripping Derby. Thank you for the photo usage Totally Tubular Magazine @myallsnaps

Raffle Tickets available today 8:00-10:00 Scotts Valley Skatepark Today

$1.00 each in person. Local meet up if you win 

and are not there no shipping. All funds go the Skate-A-Thon plegit page.

 

Legendary downhill skateboarder and World Record Holder

John Hutson joined Friday at the Westside Pump Track

NHS Funfactory thank you for supporting this event. Santa Cruz Skateboard, Independent Trucks, Bronson Bearings, Creature Skateboards, Screaming Hand, cool items to win.

45RPM Prizes from Joel Gomez of Sessions

Vintage Skateboard graphics Soquel Skatepark, Runway Skatepark, Skateboarder magazine, Upland Skatepark.

I am excited to join this EPIC initiative! Operation Surf's mission is very important to me, and I am proud to help them make a difference in the lives of injured military and veterans, one wave at a time. Please support me by giving to my page. Every dollar counts! The life-changing programs of Operation Surf are made possible by contributions from people like you!

Your support will provide: 

• $25 provides a 'wave' of peer-to-peer support through Operation Surf's online peer-to-peer platform called The Canteen.
• $50 provides health-conscious meals for a day for one veteran. 
• $100 provides a day of world-class surfing instruction for one veteran. 
• $250 equips a veteran with a wetsuit to keep them warm and comfortable.

Operation Surf programs are at no cost to the veterans they serve, and they are invited to continue their journey long after the program is complete through various opportunities. It costs an average of $5,000 to put a veteran through an Operation Surf program and provide ongoing care.

For more information on Operation Surf, visit them on social media and their website

Badass Skatemom CrossFit Video Skateboard Hall of Fame

May 4th I was inducted into the Skateboard Hall of Fame. Here is a quick post about how this video got made. I'm currently in Madison WI working in my hotel room before heading to the Scoring Bat Cave room where I'm working on all of the event score cards for the judges. The past two years I've done score cards as well as worked in Media in photography and downloaded and ingested photos of the games. It has always been fun but so stressful to have to be in two places at the same time. When you leave one room and they say hurry back and then the other room is waiting for you to power and get their work done which is super time sensitive and accuracy is to the detail. 10-12 hour days the norm and last year the food was awful this year they are trying but they still don't get the Crossfit style diet. Fresh vegetables not from a can, no sugar and no preservatives please.

Big thank you to Tyson Oldroyd Coordinating Producer, CrossFit HQ Media he had the idea to do a video on my skateboarding and CrossFit. Thanks Sevan (Executive Director of Media and Content, CrossFit Inc.)for letting him do it. Thanks to the awesome Lindsay and Elliot Schrock of Schrock Films

The Schrocks arrived on Tuesday night. They videoed me working out at the regular 8:30 HQ class with Jenny Lau the most awesome coach. We met two hours later at the NHS museum thanks Rich Novak and Bob Denike for letting me shoot there with them. I ran home they went back to HQ. We got to use the CrossFit Sprinter Van and they came by the house and picked up my family and we all headed down to Anaheim. We had plans on hitting a few parks on the way down but we lost a day so we had to compress everything. We arrived late on Thursday. Friday am we met in the Hotel they did a interview while my family went off to a sporting goods store. I'm not comfortable getting photographed or interviewed I prefer the other side of the camera photo art directing or styling the shoot. After the interview in my hotel room we met up and went to a local park. I had scouted a few close by. It was hot in the 90's and it was more of a street course with tons of guys. We went to another park in Fountain Valley 10 minutes away the traffic was a mess from construction. Found the park it had guys in it but it was more my style with rollins and coping but nothing too gnarly.

When I first arrived I was a bit intimidated with the guys there looking at the big black van that rolled up me getting out and then Elliot following me around with the camera. I was thinking they are going to be so unimpressed with my riding but fuck it. By the time we were done the guys were so nice and they were snapchatting and we were stoked to have met.

We drove back to the hotel I had two hours to get ready for the Skateboard Hall of Fame. I practiced my speech a few times. I was nervous but happy. My friend Frances arrived and we went to the event.

Thank you to Maria Carrasco for the slalom racing footage my slalom racing sponsor Sk8kings. James Cassimus for his Capitola shot, Michael "Smiley" Goldmann for his Winchester footage, Gary Medeiros for the plexiglass shot. James Sweigert for the N-men footage. I'm honored to get this video. Thanks John Ravitch, my dad Richard Oyama who I've not had the time to go by and show the video too.

Thanks friends that I asked for high resolution images.

Don't miss the N-men Documentary Trailer link

Skateboard Sports Hall of Fame Speech Judi Oyama Class of 2017

Last nights Aptos High Sports Hall of Fame Dinner at Seascape was awesome. I am proud to be inducted with a fellow athletes from Aptos. I was the oldest class of 1977. It was great seeing coaches Jame Townsend and Lynch. At the end of the night we talked about Dave Devine. I thanked him in my speech and they said it brought great memories. We got a great plaque, award, lifetime pass to all Mariners events and a t-shirt. Big thanks to all that helped put it on and to Mark Dorfman, the Athletic Director.

Thank you to my BFF skate buddy John Ravitch for writing my retrospective. We have been skating together for the past 15 years. We skated back in the day but didn't know each other until we met in Hood River while I was walking to the race. I'm so grateful we met and stay friends. I am even more motivated now to try and go to Worlds in Canada in September. Thanks everyone that came up and talked to me as well. It was nice to see old friends and meet new ones as well.

Here is my speech.

For the record I’m more nervous public speaking then launching myself off a 9 foot ramp. I was super stoked to get this award and then stressed about having to get up in front of everyone and speak. I think awarding a skateboarder into their Sports Hall of Fame may be a first for any High School Sports program and a woman on top of that even better. Thank you! Congrats to Aptos High for being ahead of other programs by recognizing big wave riders Tyler Fox and Peter Mel, extreme skiers like Cody Townsend (who’s dad Jamie was my English Teacher) and many other athletes that do sports that aren’t usually a mainstream sport. I am honored to receive this recognition for a sport that has always been considered renegade. Skaters have a reputation for being bad but we’re not all bad. I have been skateboarding for over 44 years. I learned to skate when I was 13 with my brother Cary. We bought a board together for $24.95 and I never stopped skating. Cary couldn’t be here tonight because it’s his night to care take my mom and her husband we take turns with other family members. I learned how to skate the same ages my parents were in the Japanese Internment Camps. I reflect all the time that they didn’t have the same childhood I had so take advantage of every opportunity that I can. I’ve kept skateboarding because I love to skate. NO, I can’t do an ollie which a lot of the boys ask my son Ryan. I did learn to tail drop at the skatepark on my 50th birthday. I don’t ride pools or parks as well as I did before but that adrenaline I feed off of slalom racing on the other hand which is faster than in the past because the equipment has improved. I keep thinking I’m going to stop but then I go to a race and I come back energized and stoked again. I know if I stop I’ll never start again. I have to thank my dad for taking me to the skateparks up and down the coast while he went golfing. It was a perfect combo for the both of us. He still golfs here regularly. Thank you to my family for letting me go skate on the weekends and keep racing, and to many of my friends that probably get tired of my talking about skateboarding.

A few years ago at the World Championships in Texas they had two start ramps a regular 4 foot and a 9 foot that they called the BAR which stood for Big Ass Ramp. I went up to the top via a ladder it was shaky, creaky and I looked down and said hell no and climbed back down. But when we started racing and there were two younger women one from Russia and Latvia, both the fastest in their countries. I knew I had to get back up on the ramp. My teammate who is 10 years younger and no kids was in first place, I wanted second. I climbed up the ramp that was tilted at a forward angle so when you dropped in you couldn’t see part of the ramp just the pavement. I just looked ahead and went for it and took two seconds off my time and that got me second place. The ramp, not the race, was my accomplishment. One of the ladies came up to me after the race and said you are crazy. I’m not sure if I’m crazy but I know I will always challenge myself.

I always encourage women and girls on the sidelines that are watching their husbands, boyfriends or brothers skateboarding to try it. There is no reason to be a spectator. Get out there and do it whatever it is. I don’t want to have any regrets for not trying something. Many people don’t have the opportunity we to have to do all types of challenging and fun sports. Thank you for recognizing people that have a passion for a non conventional sport like skateboarding.

GO MARINERS!

Aptos High Hall of Fame Class of 2017 >> The latest Hall of Fame class for Aptos High will be celebrated with a special ceremonies and awards banquet on Saturday at Seascape Golf Club. The class includes Judi Oyama (Class of 1977), Tracy Mitchell (Class of 1980) and Mike Schiro (Class of 1991), while Steve Bunner (Class of 1980) will be inducted as an honorary member. The Class of 2017 will also include K.C. Fox (2005), Casey Nevitt (2003), Bobby Powers (2000), Kelly Stratton (1990) and Bryan Van Meter (2004).

Badass Skatemom Small Business Sentinel Love

Happy to get coverage for tomorrow's Shop Small Saturday Santa Cruz with the Makers Market Santa Cruz Group and all involved to promote the small businesses in Santa Cruz. I'm all about local even though we are heading over the hill to Santana Row.

It's a great opportunity to show to other areas us little guys trying to make our passion and our dream of running our own business and selling fun things. I'll be carpooling with Adam of Mutari Hot Chocolate doing our part to have one less car going over the hill.

Thank you Jondi for calling me and writing the 800 businesses story for the Sentinel.

Thank you Shmuel Thaler I couldn't help photo art direct just a little. Super excited to see how tomorrow goes. Thank you Barbara Mason for teaming up with Andy VanValer's Slingshot, Think Local First Santa Cruz.

Badass Skatemom

Speaking of Santa Cruz cottage food industry Foyama Jam coming soon?

Speaking of Santa Cruz cottage food industry article just out in the Sentinel yesterday. My son and I made Organic Strawberry Jam from the Cabrillo Farmers Market and being the graphic designer mom I had to design a custom label. Foyama The first batch came out to soft I tried to not use any pectin the second batch way better after I found Pomona’s Universal Pectin you need less organic sugar than the receipt asks for. Simple Organic Strawberry Jam Makes: 4-5 cups

Ingredients:

4 cups mashed strawberries (hulled, stems removed)

1 cup organic sugar

2 teaspoon Pomona’s pectin powder

2 teaspoons calcium water (comes with the Pomona’s Universal Pectin; you mix at home with water before starting this recipe per the package instructions)

Read more at http://boulderlocavore.com/2011/07/simple-organic-strawberry-jam.html#eOZJJJqSE12MMUTe.99

Here is a good receipe and guide.

Eton Rugged rukus video release Jay Watson and Maximum Impact Design

Eton Rugged rukus video on YouTube Director and stills photographer Jay Watson Video Cameraman Nils Carlson also helping out was Lance. Video Editing and production: Denise Gallant of Video4Creative and Kevin Monahan, Audio Engineer/Sound Designer/Co-Founder We shot all of the beach and forest photos and video in the morning at Hidden Beach and at Nisene Marks Park in the afternoon. I styled, art directed, produced, found the talent from past models and through Eric Clarkson and Angela Stucky. I recruited Naomi Kelley from Crossfit West. Models for Aptos: Allison Twisselman, Emmanuel Guzman (Pro Skateboarder for Santa Cruz Skateboards), Eric Clarkson (Professional Triathlete), Vicky Jones, Logan Halliwell (John Hutson's nephew), Katie Steidl (jr designer for Maximum Impact Design), Naomi Kelley, hair and make-up Thayse from Prima Salon Food by the Picnic Basket big thank you to Kendra Models for Woodside: Julian Sunn, Logan Halliwell, Sara Johnson (contact from , Michelle Mathews (Sharpe Models), Michael Webb (Apple), Wynn and kids, Hair Make-up Allison Sharpe Sharpe Models Product for the shoot: Local beach shoot in Aptos for Eton cool solar electronics company in Palo Alto. The whole crew tried to be as green as possible by car pooling, bringing Aptos Water and nalgene bottles for the clients, models, assistants so they could refill the water from the bigger 3 gallon bottles. Coffee in thermos's from a Think Local First Santa Cruz company Pacific Coffee Roasting, Ola Chica swim suits, Kuhl clothing, Keen Shoes, Pistil, Osprey packs, eyewear from Smith Optics and Arnette, which I felt fit the shoot best, Kelty coolers and chairs, some REI product, GSI table, local food by the Picnic Basket in Santa Cruz we got 15 scones, sandwiches and chocolate and oatmeal cookies. Hair and Make up by Thayse from Prima Salon. My company Maximum Impact Design producing, location scouting, art directing, logistics, food, and all the rest in Aptos. Santa Cruz surfboard and Santa Cruz Skateboard. Next shoot is a Pool Party... Fill in socks and shoes from the Sockshop and Shoe company and the Socksmith. Thank you to Cindy Whitehead Sportstylist® to the intro to Arnette. Jam Collective for Osprey, Keen, Alite connections.

Manresa Rods website launch

Manresa Rods website and Manresa Rods Facebook page went live yesterday. Fun project.

Greg using his custom rod for a Magellan GPS photo shoot. Photo's Jay Watson at Rooster Comb Ranch. Made the iCast trade show booth's large graphic walls.

My husbands side business and passion.

Local talent Santa Cruz and locations on the Magellan new product launch website

Stoked to see the Magellan photo shoot project go live yesterday on the Magellan GPS website. Working with local Santa Cruz triathletes. I did all of the production, art direction, location scouting, talent scouting, and styling for the new Magellan product "Switch" website and product launch that will be showing at CES next week. The photographer was Jay Watson super talented surf, action sports and portrait photographer. A definite pro. Big thank you goes to many friends that I have worked with or know in the action sports industry. Eric Richter at Giro for the high end Road Helmets, gloves, shoes, and socks. Shout out to Trudy at the SUP and Tri shop for introducing me to the talented athletes. I was able to work with Tommy Zaferes fresh from a trip back from New Zealand. Eric Clarkson rode to the shoot at 8:00 am on a freshly cool morning, Elle Washburn super fit strong woman, Josh Bjornstad, Margaret Ellis and Stephanie Hocom.

The Switch Series is the new product. I am super busy with a catalog and wanted to post a thank you to everyone involved. Aaron Brookes the marketing director it was a pleasure to work with you again. Have a great Outdoor Retailer show. I loved working locally at Seacliff Beach, Aptos in Nisene Marks Park and around UCSC running track area.

Big thank you to local retailers I hunted and gathered from Arron at The Bicycle Trip for always being super helpful and friendly, Family Cycling, The Running Revolution for exchanging a size for us without a hassle and Fleet Feet in Aptos for also doing a quick size exchange. Angela Stucky for being a great assistant at the shoot and my right hand girl. Make-up from Kylie Muhly from Prima Salon Santa Cruz. I purposely shopped local for clothing and fill in product but used my amazing contacts for other items like Oakleys sunglasses, Giro cycling shoes, that made the whole project complete.

Thank you to Cindy Whitehead and Frances Lam for some tips and encouragement that helped with some key product contacts. Both talented stylists through Frances now is a amazing Acupuncturist. Cindy is the Sportstylist® of the top a athletes worldwide.

Styling kit for a running and cycling shoot

I ended up using two different boxes. Business cards, mini skate hard drive, paper clips, scissors, leopard print nail kit, hair ties, wipes, ducktape, clips, zacto blades...we got great weather and big thank you to all the companies that sent product for this shoot. We got amazing photos at the Beach, Nisene Marks Park and up by Pogonip. Thank you for all of the people that stopped for a few minutes to let us get the last of the sunshine. I have to say the top of UCSC campus track area has the million dollar view.

The SLOW DOWN sign didn't work

Mike you in the white truck with no signage. What do we need to get you to SLOW down. The mother's on this street want his truck plate number so we can call it into the Aptos Highway Patrol. He drives by before 8:00 am in the morning and leaves at dusk. I saw him drive slow once! which was last night 2-26-2011 and then fast this morning at 7:50 am.


OK great now the guys look at my house and drive faster. How does one get trucks driving on Danube to one stop at stop sign on Jennifer and two slow down!
Slow down to Superior Alarm Co both trucks and the D & G Sanitation guy who looked right at me and sped past the SLOW KIDS at Play sign today 10_11_2010 Aptos High Patrol please can you get on these guys. The kids are out minimum day all week!


Even with the sign out on the road the neighbors cat got ran over due to a speeding driver who didn't even stop to say sorry.

So as I'm going out to put up this sign I watch a truck and trailer run the stop sign at Jennifer and Danube. I'm thinking maybe if I put this sign up the Plumber in the white unmarked truck will stop and slow down.
NO he went even faster today.
I stopped the next work truck that had run the stop sign earlier and asked him to please have his guys stop at the sign and to ask the plumber to slow down. I told him he went even faster this morning.

I hope the Aptos Highway Patrol will check for him on Soquel Drive. He usually arrives right before 7:00 am but today he was late at 7:25 am. There are young kids heading for the bus. He doesn't seem to care. We do. This is just making the neighbors talk more and band together. Most of us weren't paying much attention to the new build but now its on everyone's radar more than ever.

Dude will you please SLOW DOWN!!!

Well it's not just the one white truck anymore. If it could only be that easy.
Mesa Grande drivers can you slow down too. Worst culprits are the lady in the Black Mercedes and Woman in the Gold Volvo Wagon

What is the point in driving at a high rate of speed on a daily bases past our houses on Vienna, Jennifer and Danube Drive in Aptos? This is not a freeway but our neighborhood. Yesterday at 6:59 am you streaked by I called and someone was going to ask you to slow down. And today at 4:20 pm you did the same.
We already deal with concrete trucks driving by every 20 minutes until 10:00 pm at night. Did we complain no.
But if you keep speeding by I will have issues.
Their is a 5 year old boy who just learned how to ride a bike who rides up and down the street. It makes me nervous wondering when you are going to drive by.

WTF

By the way there is a STOP sign on Jennifer and Danube you blow through. Can you please stop.

Foy Construction Website Launch

Foy Construction website for my husband Greg. Photography by Jason Liske and Marcie Kirby of Pure Images. With the help of copy writers Lesley MacDonald and Patti Bond both were great. Tough to do your own site, tougher to do your spouses.


Larkin Valley


Santa Cruz


Capitola


Santa Cruz Bikes


Pasatiempo

Vienna Woods + Park Wilshire Field Aptos

I know it's been hard for all of the neighbors to get use to loosing the field. Sad faces and lots of families walking around the streets. (Dog poop piles on the streets like never before gross) Cars coming up with their dogs and a big fence blocking the old path (u turn). Well it was bound to happen since the property was purchased 12 years ago. Yes we had the field for 47 years+ I'm going to miss riding up Haas and cutting across the field instead of dealing with the cars racing down Vienna. Try riding your bike up with your family while people are going 45 in both directions.
Give them a break. Stop thrashing their fences and causing more grief. The path is still in the works for those that are concerned. The more hassle the worse it will be for all. My motto is treat others like you would like to be treated.

Thank you for clearing the field back and trimming the Oaks. Having a fire break is a good thing.

Please drive slow through our neighborhood as we have pets and kids that are on the streets playing or blindly walking in our case with our old dog. Respect us and we will do the same.

A sub-division would suck which is rumored for the flat area of the field which of course is behind our house. Guess it's not a rumor. ;(

Seascape Tennis Academy logo

Final Seascape Tennis Academy logo. Updated the logo with more youthful look and feel. I love working with Jimbo he is a super talented artist.



The Seascape Sports Club is located a few minutes from the beach in Aptos. You can smell the surf and hear the waves pound on the beach. Tennis Director is USPTA Professional Rick Kepler teaches tennis at the club and at local schools through his Monterey. He is quiet about his tennis game but he kicks butt in doubles and just got back from Mexico where he represented the USA. Rick has been ranked No.1 in the nation in Men's doubles 3 of the last 5 years. Rick is also the youngest board member in the Nor Cal USTA section. When not working, Rick enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa and their three children. 

Seascape Sports Club features 12 Championship Tennis Courts, Seven Lighted Courts, One Clay Court, a Stadium Center Court that seats 1200 people,and an Official Tournament Size Paddle Tennis Court.