Skateboarding Longevity and Determination Flashback Issue 1 of Thrasher Magazine

Today, I saw a post about the 500th issue of Thrasher Magazine on Instagram. I looked back at the first issue on Thrasher's website and noticed it had an article about Downhill Skateboard Racing and the Gold Cup Series that I had skated in. (I still have my first copy.)

Spread from the first issue of Thrasher Magazine flashback. 

A look back and realization that not being the top women's team rider changed me and probably helped me in the long run. At the Capitola Classic and I was ahead of all of the women even with a crash and sliding 25 feet down the double yellow in short shorts and hitting my head. 

After John Hutson won on a set of special Park Rider wheels that were super tall and fast, Jay put the winning wheels on Terry Brown's board and she beat me at the finish line. Winning is winning but I ended up with more photos and press because I raced my heart out. I wasn't the big name I ended up not getting the special wheels and placing second. In the long run it made me fight harder and continue to skate decades later. 

(For anyone that wonders why I stopped competing in vert it was the Winchester contest judges that made me stop competing in scored contests and just do timed events and that's another story. Because I get asked alot but don't usually tell why)

Decades later Terry told me she never considered that she won that race. It was good to hear but I will always remember feeling like the second pro rider for Santa Cruz and not as important. I was still honored and proud to be sponsored Santa Cruz Skateboards and Independent Trucks.

 Competition is competition it is cut throat and not everyone likes competing. You can have a career as a free rider in some sports like Surfing legend Santa Cruz surfer Josh Mulcoy and freeskier Cody Townsend. Skateboarding not so much.

Capitola Classic Downhill in Action Now with Michele Baker. Photo: James Cassimus

Capitola Classic shot by Dan Devine took that is in the Smithsonian Collection

If you had told me I'd still be skateboarding and racing in 2022 I would probably think you were cray cray. I remember another competitor asking me what it would be like skating in 20 years? I told her I probably won't be skating that was 18 years ago. 

This weekend I will be racing in Southern California my first head to head race since Morro Bay Classic 2019

Video by Gary Fluitt and crew

 

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

Girlhood (It's Complicated) Virtual Opening Female Skateboard Pioneers and BFF's

Here is a little back story to this event. Jane and Beth collected my Flyaway helmet and trophy. They have come out and personally interviewed us for more background on women in skateboarding, our herstory and what the items we donated meant to us and when and how were they used or won. Won in my case was because I gave them one of my first place trophies from the Berkeley Skate Contest years ago. 

 

Back story on the black flyaway helmet. That was Rebecca Botelho she did the custom pin striping. I was going to have her do one for me and instead we did a helmet trade and I gave her a new flyaway helmet and she gave me the black one. She still skates and is awesome. We skated together a few years ago when my husband had a cyclocross race down in Los Osos area. She is helping get a skatepark built in Cambria. www.skatecambria.com

I was super honored to be apart of this virtual opening yesterday. I put together my video and self-interview. I was going to hand it off to Daniel Carettoni of Santa Cruz Aerials so he could smooth it out. I didn't have a ton of time so I didn't redo my interview areas. When you get behind the camera or iPhone you don't always say exactly what you planned to say. I wanted to redo some of the slow bumpy talking. 

                                                    

1:13 Shows are skate pieces at the show

https://youtu.be/GVYesfMeMOc?t=2611 

                                                            

45:19 Cindy Whitehead

https://youtu.be/GVYesfMeMOc?t=2723 I am right after you. I am sending this to my friend Frances and thought I would share the links of where we want to watch from.

                                                            

47:35 My section

https://youtu.be/GVYesfMeMOc?t=2854

At the end of my video I put photo and video credits. Thank you to my friends that have been kind enough to take a photo or shoot with my camera when I ask them. If not for my dad who took most of my photos my story would not have been documented.

Credits:

Daniel Carettoni

Bill Golding

Richard Oyama

Gary Mederious

Michael Smiley Goldman

John Krisik

Dan Devine

John Ravtich

Michael Chantry

Ian Logan

Daniel A. Anderson

Gary Holl

Steven King

Randy Katin

Brad T. Miller

Jonny Miller

Maria Carrasco

Mary MacDonald

sorry if I missed anyone 

Day 9 of no sugar, no grains, no dairy, no alcohol  no fun. I am doing it until October 22. 21 days to exact.

The history of girlhood is not what people think; it is complicated. Young women are often told that girls are “made of sugar and spice and everything nice.” What we learn from the past is that girls are made of stronger stuff. They changed history. From Helen Keller to Naomi Wadler, girls have spoken up, challenged expectations, and been on the front lines of social change. Although definitions of girlhood have changed, what it means to grow up female in the United States has always been part of the American conversation. More details at girlhoodlive.com

I got a little love Smithsonian spotlight

https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/snapshot/shredding-judi-oyama

First woman inducted in a High School Sports Hall of Fame for Skateboarding?

Racing the men #us nationals #slalomskateboarding #oceanside #sk8kings #skatemom #crossfitlover #crossfitskateboarding strong legs

A video posted by Judi Oyama (@judioyama) on Oct 1, 2016 at 12:55pm PDT

Well not sure about it but I am honored to be inducted into Aptos High Schools Hall of Fame. I got a call last week from Mark Dorfman the Athletic Director. I was informed that I had been on the short list for a few years and that I finally got into the SHOF for the school. My son Ryan Foy goes there now and plays football. I've walked by the SHOF signs and read names like Tyler Fox (Maverick Surfer founder of Santa Cruz Waves) Peter Mel (Big Wave Surfer dad founded and runs Freeline Design) and Cody Townsend (Extreme Skier known for doing the epic chute video and who's dad was my English Teacher and who I got Giro helmets for before he was a big name but that's another story).

The Dinner isn't until April 2017 and it will be at the Seascape Golf Course. In the 70's I skateboarded for Santa Cruz Skateboards, Independent Trucks, Park Riders Wheels, Cellblocks Riser Pad, OJ Wheels. I have never bought skate shoes I was given Van's and other skate brands as my friends worked at different skate companies. I am fortunate. I always tell new skaters never burn a bridge. Be respectful. If someone offers you a product use it and if it's not something you ride don't take it just to take it.

I raced last weekend at the US Nationals in Oceanside California. Placed 2nd in the women's and beat some of the men in the Hybrid and Tight slalom skateboard race. The Giant slalom was from the top of the hill super rough pavement and fast. I am stoked to be riding and getting support from Sk8kings Skateboards, Turbo Wheels, Independent Trucks, Khiro Skateboard Products, Bronson Bearings, NHS Fun Factory, Rip Tide Foot stops and shoes from Krysta DC rep... Thank you to Lynn Kramer fastest woman on a skateboard who has won the World Title for 12 years in a row. Di Dotson for supporting the women and getting sponsorship monies to match the men's purse. I've been racing for over 40 years. It is still something that needs fixing in many of the male dominated action sports. It will happen but all the women need to work together not against each other. I'm glad the last skate park contests let girls submit a video to get it because it should not be controlled by women that gang together and only invite the girls they know. There are lots of unknown skaters out there that need to have a chance.

Currently Ranked 1st ISSA International Slalom Skateboarding Association World Ranking

Slalom World Rankings posted this may not last long since the Europeans have so many more races then we do. I am going to the US Nationals in Oceanside and the World Championships in Kentucky this year. Crossfit and Skateboarding helps the elder in the pack to keep skateboarding and racing. I'm the oldest skateboarder and racing longer than any woman in the sport but that doesn't really matter you can get inducted to the Skateboarding Hall of Fame if you do freestyle handstands and rode in the 70's. No one cares if you've ridden bowls, vert, downhill, freestyle and supported kids in for 4 decades. I skateboard because I love to skate that is the only reason. Like many skaters around the world that get no coverage and just ride. Skate on! Skater for Life!

Women and Skate Culture Article hits a Nerve

Wow you know it hit a nerve when you are getting tagging in an opinion article on Wired about Skateboarding and Silicon Valley. So many people think they know skateboarding. You really don't unless you actually do it and love it. So some old skater writes and article and people get all agro on her. Well, welcome to the skate community. They voice their opinion the good the bad and the ugly. Just deal with it. Maybe I've been doing it too long. As I've said in the past you have to work harder and have a vision and don't stop.

So here 30 and 40 years later. Most of the old skate gatherings don't invite women. They run masters skateboard contests and I know women masters must be around cause I see women ripping at the parks and competing with the young rippers. Some women skaters just skate and don't compete. Their are many skate moms out there. Sorry but it kind of bums me out that when you look up Skatemom you see a cow on a skateboard. (no disrespect) Just saying. Women skaters come in all ages, all sizes and they do it with the same passion. One of these days women skaters will run and own skateboard companies and support women skaters. hum guess I better put my money where my mouth is. Cindy Whitehead we need to talk. That plan well it's time.

I do not like all the negative BS and name calling people are doing to the writer. It is an opinion piece if you want to write one do it. She is not bashing Rodney. Read the complete article and read it again. It took me a few reads to really understand it is a positive piece not negative.

And I'm not Peggy.

For the record. Skating Saturday at the Scotts Valley Skate park photo by John "The Hut" Hutson. Former World Record downhill skateboard holder and Santa Cruz Team Rider.

http://www.wired.com/2015/02/silicon-valley-thinks-can-learn-skater-culture-terrible-idea/

Life is full of highs and lows this week I've had both

dis·ap·point·ment

The week started off on a high note when I got great news that I made the short list. Then to sadness when in the end I wasn't included. So it goes as I've said in the past it is a man's world. You have to do things for yourself not for anyone else. Not for a magazine, an article, a video... or an art show. I'm doing a piece anyway just for myself and because of who invited me.

Thank you to all the people that helped me this week dealing with my mom. Reality is I have bigger things in my life that matter but a good cry was in order so it goes.

GRO Girls Learn to Ride session yesterday

Glad I was able to go skate LCRSP yesterday and then go to the Winchester SkatePark Reunion at the Blank Club.

San Jose Mercury News Article
Silicon Metro Article
Santa Cruz Sentinel Article (most likely a complete dupe of the San Jo piece)

Women in Skateboarding Audio Project

Super stoked to be part of Patty Fung's UCSC multimedia audio project about Women's Skateboarding.



Patty Fung:

As part of my community studies social documentation course at the University of California, Santa Cruz, we were asked to select a medium and to produce a short documentary on a subject of our choice. The subject I choose was women’s skateboarding with a goal of highlighting not only the barriers that continue to exist today, but the rich narrative of women who have been riding since the rise of the sport as well as the recent growth of female skate communities that empower and encourage girls of all ages and abilities to ride with confidence. What you will listen to here is not only an assignment for a course, but a project for the community of women skateboarders all over the world who have ridden and those that continue to push the limits of skateboarding with passion.

(Note: My hopes is that this will be continued as a bigger project to capture the stories of individuals beyond the community of skateboarders in the Bay Area, California. If you would like to share your stories, experiences, and related media about the subject, please contact me at patricia.s.fung@gmail.com with “Audio Documentary” in the subject line.)



Voices:
Steve Caballero, Kayla Caballero, Cindy Whitehead, Patti McGee, Julia Davis, Jolie, Mathew George, Gary Holl, Erica Harris and myself.

Thanks Patty.

My interview was done at Nextspace it seemed as though we were being followed by the Harley from Patty's place to downtown. I enjoyed the Nextspace ROP graphic design forum yesterday morning. Thanks for the invite Iris, Jeremy and Ryan.

Made this Side Project Website



Oyaha, Oyana, Obama it's all good.

First ever McTwist by Lyn-z Adam Hawkins!

Tony Hawk Show Highlights
by quiksilver

So stoked to watch. Way to go girl!

My Women's Skateboard Hall of Fame list on SkateDaily

There were no women on the first skateboard hall of fame inductees, so I made a list. The other female skaters I would of listed are Laura Thornhill, Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins, Elissa Steamer, Vanessa Torres, Amy Caron, Jen O'Brien...Kim Cespedes, Robin Logan, Cindy Whitehead... Why no women maybe cause the boys forgot.

Thanks Skatedaily

Feature on Sponsorhouse Action Sports Skate section

Skateboarding art and living go hand in hand. Getting a feature position on Sponsorhouse's website next to a 7 year old up and coming ripper is pretty cool even for a few days. It is not up anymore but looked like this. I think I am one of the oldest skateboarding mom's that skateboard races professionally. I love seeing kids and adults skateboarding, carrying skateboards and talking skateboarding even after all these decades. I skate with some skaters that I've skated with for over three decades. So if your young and skating don't be surprised if you are still doing it decades from now.

Only thing that bothers me is all these young skaters doing rails and stairs without helmets. Do you think your not going to slam?

Thank you Toshi Corbet for introducing me too Sponsorhouse it is a cool action sports site.

Flickr Photo mapping

Santa Cruz skate locations. Rainy day busy work to avoid house cleaning.

Found image taken by Gary Medeiros October 1977

Possible rain forecasted.

Main purpose for this morning was doing some Board Rescue work. More decks, box of trucks, wheels, grip tape for our non-profit. Gary likes to skate early so he can hit the San Jose park when they open the gate. Wally and Glen were going as well. Josh showed up to downhill and was happy to see the course set for slalom. He did both. The clouds keep making building but then breaking up. It was a beautiful morning session.

Skated the Ben Lomond skatepark with my kids last night until it was so dark you couldn't see the transitions.