63-Year-Old Female Skateboarding Pioneer Breaking Barriers & Going FAST! | Judi Oyama

Meet Judi Oyama, a 63-year-old skateboarder who has been ripping the streets and skateparks for decades. As a pioneer of the sport, Judi was there for the inception of Independent Trucks and helped recruit many notable names to the Santa Cruz Skateboards team.
But Judi's love for skateboarding doesn't stop there. To this day, she still competes in slalom competitions, and is even a member of the US Slalom Skateboarding team. In addition, Judi holds onto a treasure trove of skateboarding memorabilia, including rare boards, vintage magazines, and more.
Join us as we dive into the inspiring story of this skateboarding legend and learn how she continues to push the limits and break barriers in the world of skateboarding, while preserving its rich history for future generations to enjoy.
00:00 Introduction
00:33 Meet Judi
00:51 Judi's Background
01:25 Growing Up in Santa Cruz
01:36 Minna Sighting!
01:47 Judi's First Skateboard made by her Brother
01:59 Santa Cruz First Wooden Skateboard
02:35 The Capitola Classic
04:15 Meeting Novak and Jay
04:28 Getting Sponsored
04:43 Encouraging The Next Generation
05:56 10 foot roll in!
06:14 Winchester Skatepark
06:35 Inception of Independent Trucks
06:53 Judi Helps Santa Cruz & Indy Grow Their Teams
07:05 Novak, Haut & Shuirman
07:16 Being Present For First Independent Truck Roll In
07:31 Judi Shares EPIC RELICS with us!
08:03 Judi's Involvement with NHS Skate Museum
08:27 Judi & Slalom Racing
09:05 Judi Ripping Today!
10:04 Argentina
10:20 CrossFit
11:13 Judi is Proud of Women Skateboarding
11:35 Judi's Legacy
Guest appearances: Minna Stess, Jamie Hart, Cliff Coleman and Gary Holl
Produced by Alex White
Co-Produced by Joe Perrin
Camera Op: Joey Digital
Editor: Richie Valdez
Archival Photos by:
Daniel A. Anderson
Gary Medeiros
Michael Smiley Goldman
Bill Golding
Dan Devine
Richard Oyama
Reg Caselli
Jesse Perrin
Monique Soderhall
Michael Chantry
Archival Video by:
John Ravitch
Collin Kruse
Daniel Carettoni
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Santa Cruz Skateboards, located in Santa Cruz California, was established in 1973 by then owners, Richard Novak, Doug Haut and Jay Shuirman who founded NHS Inc. Santa Cruz Skateboards has long been revered as one of the original skateboard companies that has not only survived over the years, but contributed to the innovation and modernization of skateboards and skateboarding. From the beginning, 'TIL THE END.
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[@brycekanightsmedia]

Congratulations on 50 years Santa Cruz Skateboards and thank you for recognizing Judi Oyama and her dedication to skateboarding and its culture for the love and fun of it! Beyond sport, this is the soul of skateboarding.

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you BK. Love you! I'm super proud of you and stoked that you are the go to photographer in the media. Glad they know who is a core skater photographer.

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Much love Bryce! All praise to Judi 🙌 Great seeing you at Rip Ride Rally this summer, hope to see ya again soon!

[@davidbarrus6542]

Thank you Bryce for your contribution to skateboarding. Make the world a better place, hug a skateboarder ♥️

[@aaronwetzel1981]

​@@JudiOyama this was an amazing peice done on you, you judi are a LEGEND

[@JudiOyama]

@@aaronwetzel1981 Thank you. I feel really lucky. Keep riding!

[@thiagoflorindo2849]

Skateboarding has never been just a sport. It's a lifestyle.

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Skateboarding is whatever you want it to be! 🤝

[@consistentbass]

It is a community and a culture.

[@mitch_the_-itch]

It is a litmus test. Stupid people ride skateboards. Its really that simple. A horribly inefficient mode of transportation that is dangerous to boot. Most rational GenXers recognized the skate board disaster as it is by 1980. It wasn't until the nineties that another generation was dumb enough to employ this pathetic mode of transport. Millennials are truly the dumbest generation in Human History.

[@manoman0]

...but it does require a lot of training if you want to be among the top shots.

[@mitch_the_-itch]

@@manoman0 If your Sport requires Judges to determine a winner then you need a new sport, lol.

[@davidbarrus6542]

I've been skateboarding since 1975,have cancer now. Make the world a better place, hug a skateboarder ♥️. God bless you Judi, and your family.

[@Davivd2]

Beat that shit. Fuck cancer.

[@Kkidzz]

Ditto, starting in ‘75. yellow Bahne fiberglass from a Zayre store in the burbs of Chicago. Still pushing currently. Sending you lots of ❤️❤️❤️.

[@davidbarrus6542]

Thank you.Waiting for a little warmer weather to go out and sk8 .currently in the hospital again. Right back at you from Rhode Island ♥️

[@aaronwetzel1981]

Beat this so you can ride on!

[@davidbenning10]

@@davidbarrus6542 Peace be with you, brother. Keep shredding ‘til the wheels fall off! 🤙 🛹

[@XtotheK]

I'm not really all that into skateboarding but she is genuinely amazing. What an inspiration.

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you. I still love riding and all the support really is nice.

[@gruffrossi5420]

IM A BRIT AN 60 WE USED A OLD NEATEL SAKTE AN A OLD COMIC AN BIGGEST THE BIGGEST HILL I RIDE OLD BRITISH MOTERCYCLES ITS ALL ABOUT MONEY IT SHOWS US OLD FOLK CAN STILL WHOOP THERE ARSES RESPECK FROM WALES UK

[@alexfwhite]

This is what skateboarding is all about

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

1000% 📠

[@BenjaminWeiermann]

@@SantaCruzSkateboards 😍💪

[@rulerofomicronpersei8]

@@SantaCruzSkateboards more woke garbage, is what it’s really about.

[@rickh3714]

@@rulerofomicronpersei8 What are you zx$#? Asleep at the wheel? Clearly you've never ridden at a high level in the disciplines she's done. I've placed in slalom comp. and FS + was like her an early vert rider. My first ride was in 1970. Like to see your board control kiddo on what we used to have to ride. Let alone as clearly a world class slalom skater at 63. We didn't box things up back into 'woke' & 'unwoke' back then. We just skated.

[@SurfSkateAdventures]

@@rulerofomicronpersei8 Well you mentioned it, so you represent it.

[@Picasofly]

I have a friend like this in his late 50s. He just never quit being active and never had a desk job. He still rides half pipes and bowls on his bike. Last time I watched him ride, it didn't look much different than when we were kids. If you don't let your body go idle, this is what happens. He has a job and 2 kids but never quit the sport he loves.

[@TheOrionpass]

Most of us active,positive minded senior cant quit due to brain and memory insync unaware programmed inside JOY. This programmed was buried deep inside covered by truckloads of responsibilities of life onwards journey ,to be completed, unloading itself till 60. This is the reason our JOY realeased its reserved energy from the soul ( self timer storage) for us, are given to use " the youth ON PAUSE energy" taste pure youth again but come with knowledge to assist fear in riding with JOY , fearless but with full awareness. The one incharge for this section journey belong to the Soul..cos it want to share the last joyfull ride that it never had the chance to taste ,with it's Human owner thats all...now you can see how sweet the human soul is.. Look after your soul with good beautiful programming for tomorrow JOY even in aloneness there is pleasure to be taste. I am 68 , selling ice cream with Mr. Taylor the ice cream machine(Brilliant machine ) 6 years now. We take ambush customers like a mecenary , the joy is in the hispeed working with calmness in service action and footwork of a martial art and netball captain memory of my youth. I am from Singapore where hispeed and good service is required in high human traffic business area.We are being called McDonald Aunty. I'M LOVIN IT ! PEACE

[@NathanOrlick]

Straight up, its the inactivity that kills you. If watched this audio-only I wouldn't be able to tell she's 63

[@avablobbity4757]

@Orange300 what does being woke have to do with this

[@AlphineWolf]

​@Orange300 well obviously you have to be healthy. If you're obese, you'll probably break the skateboard and be unable to do all those moves😅

[@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou]

​@@orange300-ct8fc Go see a psychiatrist about your obsession with wokeness.

[@5olas]

Santa Cruz, please give us more skater stories like this. God bless you Judi Oyama, you are awesome!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

We have some we would love to share!

[@sydneyconcerts902]

nooooooo no more this was not a skater

[@BlahBlah_13]

​@@sydneyconcerts902 what?

[@tomortale2333]

she stands tall for a sm lady...

[@ShadowAussie]

@@sydneyconcerts902 Go have a cry.

[@FIREGURU]

I have 14 and 15 year old daughters that skate bowls. On Saturdays there are a few old school skaters at the local park in the east bay. My girls are grateful for the encouragement they get from that crew. Respect to the ones that never quit!!🤙🏻

[@JudiOyama]

That’s awesome ❤

[@FIREGURU]

@@JudiOyama I think we've seen you at that same bowl. In Newark?

[@JudiOyama]

@@FIREGURU That is another girl. I haven't skated Newark yet. I have been focusing on slalom lately and riding parks in Santa Cruz. I hope to get over there sometime. Scott Foss and a few of my friends ride there and rip it up.

[@TheTilde]

@@JudiOyama : Hi and congratulations on keeping on what you love. From the other side of this planet, cheers from a fellow skateboarder clocking 61.

[@jaefrmbk2k]

​@Judi Oyama You are awesome. & an inspiration 🫶🏾

[@michaelromero5505]

HI JUDY. THIS IS MIKE ROMERO .I REMEMBER SKATING WINCHESTER POOL WITH YOU .HAD TO BE AROUND 1978.YOU RIPPED THEN GLAD TO SEE YOU STILL AT IT.

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

So sick! 🙌

[@JudiOyama]

Thanks Mike. Winchester was the best pool ever. Great to reconnect.

[@bigben1986]

As a old school BMX rider and Skater, I must say that this is what Skateboarding is about. it's not about heel flips, death flips, cock flips, it's about having fun on your skateboard and sharing those fun memories with others. This documentary is freaking awesome. God bless you Judi Oyama!

[@TheWisdom3]

Dickflips?

[@justinkrann7406]

no cock flips?

[@bigben1986]

@@nickybobby8753 This as well. I know a few who skated alone and had the time of their life.

[@JudiOyama]

@@bigben1986 I skate mostly alone still because I go super early to the skate parks to avoid scooters and parents that allow their kids to cut everyone off. I try to teach them if they listen.

[@Chompchompyerded]

You go girl!!! I'm two years older than you, and I can't skate because I'm paralyzed form the shoulders down, so you need to go two more years and skate for me! I'm rootin' for you to keep skating until you don't want to anymore, which I hope is never.

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you. My goal it to try and make the World Skate Games in Italy 2024. I thought Argentina 2022 was my last race but I am still skating.

[@Chompchompyerded]

@@JudiOyama I will definitely be rooting for you! It will be great just to make it, but I'm hoping you'll go all the way to the top. Whatever the result, you're the best in my book!

[@gabrielgabriel5177]

May God bless you

[@Chompchompyerded]

@@gabrielgabriel5177 Thank you for your kind regards. May the Buddha's wisdom and blessings be with you always.

[@wintermute8315]

Love you both.

[@crimnvL]

big up to her, happy womens history month yall ❤️

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

All praise to Judi! 🙌

[@SurfSkateAdventures]

I'm a 46 year old that started surfing at the age of 30. Born in New Zealand, half Polish and Japanese. I got a surf skate for "surf training" six months after I'd started surfing. After a while, the landsurfing became something else. I still can't drop in, always skate around alone but love it so much, I keep riding. The journey goes on. Thank you for your inspiration and dedication. You ride so fast too. (The car park looks real fun)

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you for sharing. Keep riding!

[@SurfSkateAdventures]

@@JudiOyama 真にありがとう御座います!!

[@gallowsend]

This was immensely inspiring. What a legend.

[@IndependentTrucks]

🔥🔥🔥 JUDI 🔥🔥🔥

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Ride the Best!!!

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you! Thanks to Fausto, Eric and Gwen. Fausto and Eric use to drive to NHS every Friday and deliver trucks.

[@RealSkateStories]

Judi RULES

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

🗣

[@nachomagallanico]

She's not just a pioneer....she's a living legend

[@BronsonSpeedCo]

ripping! 🏁

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

FAST AF 💨

[@JudiOyama]

The fastest bearings! People keep DMing what bearings are you riding? I tell them Bronson Speed Co. of course.

[@meghancass3187]

I remember you Judi. I saw you a couple times at Winchester, my home park. I was 8 years younger than you and younger than Caballero too. Glad to see you're still skating! After Winchester closed I quit skating and started surfing a couple years later.But got back into it about 5 years ago.

[@JudiOyama]

That's awesome. Cab was 14 years old when he started. I remember telling him don't worry you'll get good. He was ripping in 6 months and everytime a pro came through doing a new trick, he had it wired by the time they left.

[@mykep28]

She’s awesome. She had to overcome being a girl and Asian back when things are not as accepted as they are today. She kicked the door open for female skateboarders. Thank you Judi and thank you Santa Cruz for the amazing video.

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you! I'm lucky Santa Cruz Skateboards supported women from day one and continues 50 years later. Doug, Rich and Jay had a vision and Rich and Bob Denike have kept it going along with an awesome team of people.

[@hansolo631]

From the videos I've seen since covid began, asians still have a rough go of being accepted in USA streets. Some really ugly unprovoked assaults of senior asian women. Generally by young african-americans. I hope none of those losers harassed her

[@Stug138]

Judi is awesome, love her story.

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Judi is the best, endless inspiration 🙌

[@panictryouts]

Judi is awesome!. Had the pleasure of chatting with her a while back. little did i know I was in the presence of skateboarding royalty.

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Judi is the best! 🙌

[@JudiOyama]

I liked checking on your website. Are you still doing it?

[@louistorres]

I love this woman!!!!

[@rutlandcitybikes9729]

I am so thankful everyday that I ride and skateboard 4-5 days a week at 49yrs old! Nothing in my life has been more consistent and given me more smiles!

[@jasielcalixto]

You are so inspiring, Judi! I´m a 48 year-old skater and still having so much fun learning new tricks

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you. Keep at it! I never expected to still be riding but I'm still having fun.

[@stpbasss3773]

I turn 40 this year and I still go every weekend to the local skateparks, 33 years in now lol.

[@JMARKS19702]

This is so inspiring and amazing!! I often feel self conscious getting ready to be 50yrs old next month often being the oldest skateboarder at my local skatepark. Asking myself what am I doing? Then its stories like this that make me realize I have to keep going. Thank you Judi Oyama! Your contribution to the sport is unquantifiable!!!

[@SurfSkateAdventures]

Bro, that's what I was kinda feeling, but after seeing this I was like YEP. (With joy I might add)

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you! Super stoked and happy so many people have been so kind.

[@JudiOyama]

You’re young! Keep ripping! I learned to tail drop at 50 and started CrossFit at 53. Never too late!

[@govtom4]

I was the oldest competitor at my last Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition at 55. There were over 1100 competitors at the tournament. Somehow, I beat a 40 year old, but lost in the final. When I stepped off the mat, a group of about 6-8 people came up to me and told me what an inspiration I was. Still get misty eyed over that. Keep at it, bro. Cheers from Texas.

[@lea_paris]

Wanted to skate so bad as a teenager in the 80s but it seemed all the guys were just insanely good, didn't know how to begin. There was no instructional youtube videos back then! Anyway finally got my first board 2 years ago at 51. I'm just a beginner and don't do tricks, but I love it and skate all the time. And I'm really lucky I meet an older skater at the pumptrack and he got me into a Whatsapp group with about 40 others my age, we go in groups so not to feel the most old LOL.

[@johnthomas2877]

I'm glad that there are other skaters who have been skateboarding all their lives into their 60's. I am 65 and mostly skated transition, ramps, halfpipes, skateparks, a few small concrete pipes and pools. But now I just like to go fast and enjoy carves

[@kennyharrison2211]

Frikken AWESOME!!!! Good on ya Judi!!!!!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Shout out Judi!!! 🙌

[@JudiOyama]

Thanks Kenny. See you at the Texas Sizzler in a few weeks. Your daughter Maggie is the future of our slalom sport. I love her!

[@ancientfifer]

I'm 63 also and this is SOOOO INSPIRING! Cycling is my sport but I aspire to belike Judi and keep pedaling faster and higher until I can't any longer. Thanks for the inspiration🙏

[@Devillionaire]

Damn that is one cool grandma. So sick and inspirational to know someone like this exists.

[@husseltoo]

Thank you all for this! This is a prime example of the sheer treasure of history and stories you guys are now curating. Please make this a feature! There are many people watching this that have picked up skating way before youtube and multimedia, and most of us only have memories we now see materialized in front of our eyes. Thank you Judi and thanks to everybody that kept on going no matter what or where or how, just keeping skateboarding close to their hearts. I once read a closing remark on a Thrasher interview: "it doesn't matter if you can do the latest tricks, having fun is all that matters."

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Stoked you're stoked!! 🙌 Whoever has the most fun wins 🤝

[@apmikalogran]

7;o clock in the morning I watch this video I am 45 years old skateboarding Is lovely

[@brandonhinrichs4393]

The same can really be said for anybody who is really trying to or actually is competing at the highest level of a specific discipline of sport. The days of skaters partying constantly and still competing consistently are done. Just like any professional sports skaters are constantly preparing both physically and mentally for the strain that theses new era skate contests put them through. Street league has made the best skaters even better. Watching these guys land trick after trick after trick is just absurd sometimes

[@sk8traveler727]

@9:14 I've never done downhill competitions, but I think anyone who has ever conquered a big hill can relate to this feeling. That rush when you're going too fast to jump off and it's literally do or die is indescribable.

[@carissaa8411]

Dude she is awesome!

[@mikeloamzzz9593]

Thank you for doing this piece! She’s a keeper!! I’ve been lucky enough to call Judi my mentor and a friend 🎉

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Thats awesome! Judi rules 🙌

[@JudiOyama]

Love you Mike. Thanks. I didn't know it was you! Thanks for being my friend for all these years. See you soon.

[@thenon_kommunzchannel9353]

I got goosebumps watching this.

[@Frankenador]

This is the kind of stuff i need to see I'm not a Skateboarder, i'm an artist but when i am in a slump People Like her inspire me!!!!

[@bdup159]

Japan is absolutely killing it in skateboarding !!! I'm so glad her story is being shared

[@MrInuhanyou123]

You mean American? She was born in America and lived her entire life in America. Why would she be considered Japanese now?

[@minariyerin3431]

@@MrInuhanyou123 @MrInuhanyou123 Japan won 5 gold medals in first skateboarding event in Olympics. This comment prob in relate to her comment seeing japanese girls being succeslful in skateboarding in recent times.

[@JudiOyama]

@@MrInuhanyou123 Just to be clear I am considered a Japanese American. My parents were born in California my dad is still alive at 94 but in hospice care.

[@novrinkov0053]

​​​@@MrInuhanyou123 He also talks about current Japanese young skaters. Japan is definitely a skater powerhouse now. Don't know about Yuto Horigome, Ginwu Onodera and Sakura Yosozumi? Americans are funny If you gain fame, you are considered American, but if you lose, you are considered Japanese or Asian. Who did not recognize her parents as American and put them in a internment camp? Americans are really obsessed with nationality and race. by the way, you seem like an otaku who likes Japanese anime lol

[@novrinkov0053]

​@@JudiOyama Japanese DNA have a really long life expectancy.

[@jcsk8]

The real O.G´s. Great they´re having credit.

[@DeniseNepraunig]

What an amazing story about Judi Oyama!! I love it! I hope to be able to still skateboard when I am 63. Thanks Santa Cruz for making this video! I hope to see more stories like that!

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you Denise. Keep riding!

[@hotrizod777]

Wow! I thought I was up there in age for a 49 year old longboarder, but Judi is truly an inspiration! She's proving that age may be an obstacle, but not a limitation. Thank you for this video! BTW, I'm a proud owner of a Santa Cruz drop through longboard.

[@JudiOyama]

I think I made a lot of people feel young! Which is good. Keep riding and having fun.

[@chimmichurri6940]

This shit gives me alot of hope of relearning how to skate. Ive had an 18 year hiatus from skating but just got back into it, cant do any tricks YET, but still just getting re aquainted to skating. Sometimes its nice being an adult because i bought the deck ive always wanted since i was a kid playing THPS. Got the Bloody nose deck 7.5 By ZERO. Shits so fucking awsome to skate again, and this lady has definitely inspired me to start trying tricks we used to know!

[@JudiOyama]

Do it you won't regret in 10 more years thinking I should have. Have fun.

[@jflo1532]

That is super awesome...

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

See you at the premiere!

[@Wolf-nk4wf]

Brings back memories! Ahh The 70's Good times Awesome documentary.

[@Woergler86]

Greetings from Germany. Glad to see such a passionate woman who is still rippin. Stay healthy and thanks for the video.

[@fademusic1980]

THIS WOMAN GIVES ME HOPE

[@JudiOyama]

You have lots of hope if I am able to do it. Anyone can.

[@jasonpedler8017]

Happy international women's day 🖐👊🤙

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

❤❤❤

[@felixfectoau-gauthier3881]

Fuck Yeaaa☆♤♡!! Respect 4 all tha Lifers Woman

[@SkaterGod510]

Congrats, born and raised in Oakland. I've been skateboarding for over 57 years, am 64 now. As a disabled veteran it kills me to get on my board but I've gotta do it or die. Sk8rdie!

[@markbuddah1075]

Judi is a true inspiration in skateboarding & in life. Thank you for everything you do & big ups to Santa Cruz Skateboards for this! RESPECT!!!

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you Mark. Hope you are well.

[@TheReal_DeanD]

Many thanks to NHS and Santa Cruz for putting this out there. So so inspiring.

[@HeadNtheClouds]

You are fucking awesome man! 🤘🐸 I am 57 & still rip through the city, beaches & harbors on rollerblades. I enjoyed bombing hills during the Covid lockdown with no cars 😊. I do not know anyone my age that skates like me. It’s refreshing to see you still have the passion & skill that I also have ❤✌️ skate forever!

[@JudiOyama]

Thanks for sharing. Keep ripping.

[@arthurmachado2656]

Good job girl, I’ve been skateboarding and surfing from the time of rock wheels. And I’m still doing it at 64 years old. 👍🏽😎

[@iniquitousprime8747]

This was great backstory!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Endless stoke 🔥

[@socalautisticman1975]

Santa Cruz lady rides a Santa Cruz !!! Cool. I saw at a Big 5 website a lady 60 years old who rides a longboard so Ms.Oyama isn't only lady skating a board,only 60 plus that is. Several years ago when I retook skateboarding after nearly 3 decades (at age 13,stopped and retook at age 41)I've been told "aren't you too old to ride a skateboard." Didn't care plus therapist (I've autism) even would ask me if I kept/been doing it & importance of pleasure (good duh) only to find out of older then me skateboard or retaking it. I'm 47 with a collection now of boards to ride.

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Keep skating! ❤

[@earlysundays9544]

Thank you for your skateboarding Judi Oyama.

[@NATASKAUPAS]

Judy is such an inspiration. That's my life goal. THANK YOU!

[@JudiOyama]

Bruno. It was fun racing with you at Worlds. Will see if I make it to Italy 2024!

[@ontiv99]

I started skating in 1974 on a team in San Diego home ave. You’re inspiring and I still look at reservoirs and banks as if I could skate them! I’m 61! And was the only girl on my team but double grind at montebello skate park won me 2nd place over a ton of guys. Bahne skateboard, trackers and kryptos. Love your story my step dad is from Santa Cruz loved surfing there, lived on west side in 1981! Cheers!

[@ryanrowe1975]

Judi is skating in the 15 years decade and making it difficult to learning from the moment of grinding the rail and riding down to the street!

[@ShanePullen]

Im 47 and was worrying about how much longer i can skate, Judy gives me hope! God bless ya Judy!🙌🙌🙌

[@JudiOyama]

Do it. I thought I'd be done in my 40's and when a friend said image when we are skating in our 60's. I looked at her and said that won't be me.

[@japhy6536]

loved it. We should see more of these people connected with Santa Cruz and the culture sharing their stories and past. For me as an 80's kid all I really know about are the Z-Boys and the Bones Brigade.

[@ShredzShop]

Amazing!! Stoked on this!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Catch y'all at the premiere! 🙌

[@Leilaniiiiiii]

Judi Oyama is not just an amazing athlete, she's an amazing, inspirational human being. Also - look at her - she has the body of a 30-year-old and the attitude of a 20-year-old! Skating is great for your mind and your body.

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you Ada. I work hard to keep motivated and healthy.

[@tomwagner6334]

Absolute legend❤

[@santiagobenites]

What an incredibly cool woman! You totally rock, Judi Oyama! 🤘😎

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you! I'm stoked to see the level of women's skateboarding finally getting on the main stage again at the XGames after a 13 year break.

[@jcsrst]

What an inspiration!! Do what you love no matter your age and NEVER judge a book by it's cover!

[@hiphop402]

She's a winner! She's got such a winner mentality, and in such a male dominated field to go so far to the very top. Bravo! 👏❤

[@SeniorMojo]

So sick! Keep killing it Judi! Much love

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

She still has gas in the tank! ⛽

[@purplemonstermultimedia]

What a maverick! Judi is truly a BAMF and whoever shot this did an amazing job. Round of applause for Judi and the team helping to tell her story, ya'll did a great job.

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you! So awesome to see the new generation of women at the xGames Vert event yesterday.

[@dckaelin]

So sick

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Judi rules 🙌

[@dckaelin]

@@SantaCruzSkateboards very inspiring thanks for posting!

[@ooostatoba]

Awesome!🔥 I respect Judi.

[@Den_V_Den]

Respect,Great Woman!

[@Ooooa989]

Very inspirational !

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Went out to skate the second it ended! Judi rules 🙌

[@hazeylulu]

I miss living in Santa Cruz! many great childhood memories! she looks amazing still 💪

[@growingcrystals1133]

I would like to be like her at 63, such an inspiration!

[@Robnoble206]

love this story, respect

[@ganjjabarsmedium2347]

She is an inspiration ❤🤘🔥

[@alisongarcia5671]

Judi is bada**! Love this! 🔥🔥🔥

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Judi rules!!! 🙌

[@JudiOyama]

Thanks @alisongarcia5671! Does your daughter want to try slalom? I will teach her if she's interested. She did awesome in the CrossFit Open 2023.

[@felixfectoau-gauthier3881]

4 REAL

[@beatpirate8]

Thank you so much! I am an sf native and Asian American woman and never knew about her! She is amazing and a mother and an athlete! How inspiring !

[@JudiOyama]

Thank you Stella.

[@beefcakees]

That was super inspirational. At 32 I decided to pick up a mtb and do mtb street with it, first thought I had was... wtf am I doing? I'm too old for this sh**. But then there are people like you. Thanks! I'm gonna shred till I can't!

[@SkaterStimm]

You're amazing Judi!

[@BenjaminWeiermann]

That is so amazing 🤩🤩💪🛹

[@osbaldoiturrino6643]

Lots of respect to you. You're so awesome ♥️♥️♥️💯💯💯👍👍👍👍👍🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷 Love, Japan ♥️♥️♥️

[@hman7236]

Legendary Mama big ups. Straight up Beasting God Bless Bravo Bravo 👏

[@creekertodd]

Rad!!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

This one got us hyped to skate!!

[@ganj9217]

This is so awesome! Legendary

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Can't wait to share Judi's story!

[@mowler8042]

My first board was a Santa Cruz back in the early 80's. My favorite memory was skating on a empty steel ferry deck with a huge sunset in the background with my friend.

[@michaels8607]

Skaters and riding bikes are a different breed. Many of us had skating as our therapy, our escape, and our joy. Judy is a true pioneer

[@wolfperina5501]

🔥🔥🔥

[@davidlevinson2460]

This is so inspirational. I'm 60 years old, haven't skated seriously in decades but have been considering doing it again. I loved it, growing up in the San Fernando Valley in the 70s. I'm a little concerned about taking falls at my age but I guess if you have the right pads/braces/helmet it doesn't have to be that dangerous. The pads are so much better than we used to wear. Absolutely LOVE that Elvis Costello board! Where can I get one :)?

[@JudiOyama]

That Elvis board was an Alva Board that I hand painted and silkscreened. It was in the Campbell Museum for a year.

[@DecrepitBiden]

In addition to protective gears, don't forget to go with the flow, roll & deflect the force instead of absorbing it. Parachutist do as well when they land.

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

Truly an amazing story!!

[@jackcash6638]

Mad Respect!!!❤️🙏🏻✌🏽

[@Flowers2u]

She is such a motivation!! Skateboarding is great exercise, she still moves like a young girl! 💖

[@ssurf64]

So rad!!!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Hyped on this one!! 🔥

[@isabellam1936]

When I was growing up in the late 90’s it was rare to see any women at skatepark who were skateboarding. It makes me so happy that so many more women are shredding it up now days and supporting each other. I love hearing about her amazing and inspiring life. What a legend, we’ll all women who blazed the trail for us now are legends. Just them skating and living their life was activism and punk af.

[@murderskate-jr4sw]

Best brand, true OG, thanks for everything SC.

[@moretoknowshow1887]

Judy is a pure 100% badass. To see she's still on a board at 63 gives this mid-late 40 something hope to start skateboarding again..

[@asleep909]

I can't love this enough! Thank you Judi!

[@shaunwoods1591]

That's so inspirational!!! Keep on rolling babe!!!

[@junal27]

I learnt decent bowl skateboarding when I was about 45, never ever skated before. I used to drop my kids at the skatepark and got tired of not doing anything, as a dedicated and seasoned surfer and snowboarder from my 15 years old to 25, the feeling and the balance was already there. I learnt vertical dropping and keep momentum inside the bowl with a decent style, I loved going saturdays and sundays at 8:00 am before all the newies arrived and enjoy the bowls and snake runs. My kids growed up and no more rides to the skatepark ever happenned since 7 years ago, they quitted. Last time I rode I was about 48 in my new town, I have been thinking about returning since. After whatching this lady I am considering a return, now I am 52, with less spare time, older, much busier and time has started to pass quickly and tolling my body. Thank your this amazing video.

[@kurtisderow7692]

What a badass!

[@DeckadencE]

This is skateboarding! What a great story.