Oldest professional female skateboarder rolls into the record books in GWR2027

Today, Guinness World Records 2027 officially hits shelves in the United States. And inside its neon-green cover, hundreds of brand-new stories about talented record holders reveal just what makes our world Officially Amazing.

One of the legends featured within these pages is Judi Oyama (USA) – who holds the record as the oldest competitive skateboarder (female) on Earth.

Over 50 years ago, she first hopped on to a board that her brother brought home from shop class, and throughout decades of professional competitions she has defied stereotypes to pave the way for other women in the field.

“I feel like I have raced to my best each year, but know that as I age I don’t need to prove anything,” said Judi to Guinness World Records. 

Nevertheless, the 66-year-old isn’t slowing down – in fact, she continues to compete professionally in international tournaments, repeatedly breaking her own record that she’s held since 2024 at the age of 64 years and 326 days. This October, she has once again qualified for the World Skate Games, and will be participating in the global event in Paraguay just shy of her 67th birthday.

Yet it all started when she was 13, doing tricks on the family driveway with her brother Cary in their hometown of Santa Cruz, California. 

Though professional representation was lacking for female skateboarders in 1973 – even more so for Asian-American women – Judi was in love with the sport, and she spent all of her free time dropping in and out at skate parks around the city.

Her daily commute to-and-from work at a skate shop was on a board, and when the park was closed she’d coast down backyard pools, ramps, and empty roads.

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Supported by her strong family – her parents both lived through the forced migration of Japanese people to American internment camps during World War II – Judi’s love for athletics flourished at home, as well as on the street. 

She remarked that her father, professional photographer Richard Oyama, was particularly impactful, as he inspired her love for art and graphic design in addition to skateboarding. He often took photos of her skateboarding as a teen, and is the reason she has so many photos of her early career.

He also bought her an early computer and her first camera, which motivated her to document her own life and passion for skateboarding. As she got more into the skate scene, she began adding related memorabilia that she received from sticker-trades or working at skate shops – and this time capsule has since increased into thousands of items.

At the same time, her skating career began to take off – as an accomplished athlete in her own right.

By 1975, Judi was competing professionally in men's-only events, as female categories had yet to be created. Initially she skated street and vert, yet later in life she switched to the slalom and overall events, known for their speed and agility.

During the Capitola Classic two years later, she was the only female competitor, yet she still placed eighth. The following year, she was invited to become a member of the Santa Cruz Skate team, prompting her to receive some of the first sponsorships for women in the sport.

“To this day my most memorable moment was downhill skating with Tony Alva the night before the Capitola Classic in 1980,” said Judi. “We skated down a three mile (4.8 km) road on a beautiful warm evening. I was able to keep up with him, and he gave me a big smile. That encouraged me to keep riding and doing what I love.”

And she’s still skateboarding today.

Keeping active by going to CrossFit four times a week at 6 a.m., Judi credits her longevity in the sport to lifting heavy weights and doing bar-hangs. She practises skateboarding on weekends at the park, and closer to race days she’ll incorporate more training during the week before tapering off ahead of the competition to give her body a rest. 

And as she skates on, her legacy is simultaneously being recognized around the world. In addition to her Guinness World Records title, she has also been inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame, and her racing helmet from the 1970s and 1980s was even admitted to the Smithsonian. 

She also continues to expand her legacy by mentoring the next generation of young female skateboarders, by donating boards to at-risk kids through Board Rescue, or mentoring skaters such as Leiola Kahaku.

When Leiola was 15-years-old – just a little older than Judi, when she first picked up the board – her friend Mark brought her out to a slalom practice with the sexagenarian. Leiola loved the sport, bought a board, and kept practising with Judi by her side… and now, at the age of 17, she is currently the Women’s Slalom Skateboard World Champion. 

Judi competed at the same race, placing third, yet she says watching her mentee take over the title was “epic” and one of the best memories in her career.

“I would not be continuing to compete if I wasn’t coaching her,” said Judi. 

She explained: “Skateboarding has been great to me, and I like giving back so that the next generation will be able to experience the same joy – whether you skate for a few years, or a lifetime.”

And precisely this “Be Part of It” mentality that has made Judi a rightful record holder, and the face of this new US edition of Guinness World Records.

Though she said she always dreamed about being in the book, she remarked that: “I thought my time had come and passed.”

“… [Yet] little did I know I would continue to race and coach Leiola Kahaku, and then qualify for the 2026 World Skate Games in Paraguay this October!” she continued. 

“It’s an honour to be part of the record-breaking community. I hope to help the next generation of record breakers make their goals.”

So to all the future record holders out there, Judi has a few simple words of advice: “Don’t listen to the negative people. Hang out with people that support your goals and will help you achieve your goals.”

And, most importantly, to all her fellow skateboarders: “Wear a helmet!”

So congratulations, Judi, on another year of incredible accomplishments – and if you want to read more about our fantastic record holders like her, just check out Guinness World Records 2027.

This edition is packed full of the most recent record-breaking feats across eight entertaining chapters, including a special USA bonus chapter. The must-have book for curious minds has officially hit shelves in the US ahead of global publication dates in September, giving Americans a head start at all the newest stories.

For a full list of retailers, visit our store. Additionally, an exclusive edition of GWR2027 is available at Costco, featuring a poster celebrating the best of the US with a record from every state.