Rising Through the Ranks: Judi’s Journey to Skateboarding Hall of Fame at 40

Judi’s passion for skateboarding began in the 1970s when she entered her first downhill race at the age of 15. From that moment on, skateboarding has been a significant part of her life, and she has remained deeply involved in the local scene. In 2001, after a two-decade break from competitive skateboarding, Judi was prompted to jump back into it by a friend who informed her that official races had started up again. Despite being a mother of two young children at the time, Judi didn’t let anything stop her from pursuing her passion. She even brought her kids to races with them still in diapers and her still breastfeeding while competing in her early 40s.

Judi quickly rose to the top of the competitive skateboarding scene once she re-entered it. Her skills were honed through years of airbrushing surfboards and creating window displays for NHS, where she worked as a graphic designer after learning the art during her time with the Santa Cruz skateboard company. In 2018, Judi was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame for her remarkable contributions to the sport. She played a crucial role in curating the NHS Skate Museum in Santa Cruz, where visitors can see artifacts from her skateboarding career, including her original team bag and vintage skate gear. Her early skateboard and helmet are also on display in prestigious places like the museum and the Smithsonian Institution Archives, showcasing her legacy in the sport.