Judi, a Santa Cruz native, has been involved in the skate scene for decades. She started her journey at just 15 years old with a downhill race in Capitola in the 1970s. Since then, she’s continued to be an active part of the local skate community.
One of her first jobs was with NHS, the Santa Cruz skateboard company where she packed and shipped skateboard parts and learned how to silkscreen boards. This job kickstarted her career in graphic design as she also airbrushed surfboards and created window displays for NHS.
Judi took a break from racing for about 20 years but didn’t completely abandon it. In 2001, she received a call from a friend informing her that official slalom races had started up again. Despite having two young children at the time, Judi eagerly dove back into the world of racing. Her kids even accompanied her to the races when they were still in diapers and while she was breastfeeding in her early 40s.
Judi’s skills paid off as she began winning races without slowing down. In 2018, she was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame. She also played a role in curating the NHS Skate Museum when it opened in Santa Cruz, which features photos and videos of old competitions, colorful skateboards, and vintage skate art. Her original Santa Cruz skateboard team bag is displayed in the museum alongside other skateboarding gear from the 1970s.
One of Judi’s early skateboards, a Santa Cruz brand board made of deep red fiberglass with red wheels and yellow block lettering, is highlighted in the museum. Additionally, one of her helmets from her early skating days is housed in the Smithsonian Institution Archives. Judi jokingly remarks that having her items in a museum makes her realize she’s getting older but she’s proud to see how far she’s come since her early days on a board.