Patti McGee in 1965 on the cover of the 4th issue of Skateboarder Magazine

We are so sorry to share the news that the amazing Patti McGee has passed away.

Patti was the first woman to be inducted into the Skateboard Hall of Fame and she was also the only female skater (that I am aware of) to have 2 major magazine covers in one year - Life Magazine & Skateboarder Magazine both in 1965.

She was featured in a “Ma Bell” telephone commercial as well - and it is one of the best commercials, featuring a skater, that we have ever seen.

With 100% certainty, we know that Patti paved the way for all of us, because really, how many girls do you think took a chance & skateboarded back in the 1960's?  Not many.

She was an absolute icon in the skateboard world and in her later years, she attended almost all the women’s skate events in Southern California to cheer on the girls and women who were competing

But, most of all, she was an amazing lady and one I am proud to have known. We want to remember her fondly for her style and grace and continue to thank her for her contributions to women's skateboarding.

RIP Patti, and we hope you are up there skating free with that beautiful smile of yours.

All photos Anthony Acosta

Costa Mesa, CALIF. (May 30, 2024) – Vans Global Skateboarder Arisa Trew is making history in skateboarding. In 2023, she shattered barriers by becoming the first woman to land a 720 on a skateboard and then the first to perform the trick in a competition run, clinching the Women's Skateboard Vert gold at X Games California 2023. The next day, she added another feather to her cap by winning the Women's Skateboard Park Gold, making her the youngest X Games double gold medalist at 13. These remarkable achievements led to her being honored with the 2024 Laureus World Sports Award for Action Sports Person of the Year. Following the award, Arisa became the first woman to land a Switch 540. Now, she's taking Skateboarding to even greater heights by becoming the first female to land a 900, a feat accomplished 25 years after Tony Hawk's groundbreaking achievement.

“I was in so much shock when I landed the 900; it’s been a dream of mine since I made my first 540. It’s just awesome pushing women’s skateboarding,” said Arisa Trew.

Congratulations to Arisa for her unwavering determination in pushing skateboarding forward, a testament to her relentless pursuit of progression that continues to inspire future generations.