First off, we want to wish our bestie, Judi Oyama, a very Happy Birthday! She turns 63 years young on Saturday, and as many of you know from previous posts, Judi qualified to for Team USA to compete at the World Skate Games 2022 in Argentina in Slalom Racing.

There are no age divisions in men’s or women’s slalom racing at this level, so this is a kick-ass story that everyone should get behind!

Judi has been skateboarding since she was a pre-teen and has kept up with slalom throughout her life. She tells us she was floored when this came up and was told that she had enough points to be one of the USA Team to go to Argentina this month to compete.

Her first idea was to give her spot up to someone younger. But that’s not how this works - you earned it - you got it! So the more she thought about it and listened to friends and family, she came to the conclusion that she would go and she’d gear up and hopefully win a medal for Team USA when it’s all said and done.

But she didn’t stop there. Judi reached out to younger women in slalom and taught them skills to help them train more efficiently - even the women who lived all the way across the country. Her goal is to help the newest generation enjoy slalom the way she does and for more women to continue this rich skateboarding tradition.

Judi also single-handily designed the USA Team t-shirts for herself and her fellow racers, she designed and ordered stickers and more - all to get everyone on the same page so they’d look and feel like a co-cohesive team.

** Slalom is not an Olympic Discipline (yet), so there is no funding - each racer must pay their own way, and there are no team uniforms provided by the country you are racing for - someone needed to do it, and Judi stepped up and did. She also showed other team members how to fundraise by reaching out to sponsors, asking for donations, and showing why telling people what you are doing and asking for what you want/need is important.

Today is Judi Oyama’s 63rd birthday, and we’d like to wish her not only a very Happy Birthday, all the best when she heads to Argentina next week to compete.

Judi is an inspiration to so many in skateboarding, and we can’t wait to see this Badass Skate Mom shred that hill!

GO JUDI!!

If you want to help support her journey or send Judi a little Happy Birthday gift - you can do so through LaCosta Racing Team, which is non-profit, and you can donate tax-free to support her via this LINK.

Please make sure you put JUDI OYAMA in the notes so the funds will go to her fundraising account.

Judi’s sponsors include:

NHS - her original sponsor in her professional skate career starting 4 decades ago!

Santa Cruz Skateboards

Bronson Bearings

Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word Movement

Lenz Arts

Rip Tide Sports

Catto's Graphics

Roe Racing

Aptos Sports Foundation

N-Men

Jeff Traugott Guitars

Foy Construction

Santa Cruz Paving

Diamond D Concrete

CrossFit Aptos

Product Sponsors :

Giro Helmets

187 Killer Pads

Mob Grip Tape

Old Bones Therapy

Sk8Kings - Turbo Wheels

Vans

LifeAid Beverages

Camelbak

Merge4

Kuhl

Nike

Additional Help:

Laird Superfood

45RPM Vintage

La Costa Racing

Lots of friends and family!