Patti McGee, a pioneering figure who became skateboarding’s first female national champion, passed away on October 16 at her home in Brea, California. She was 79. Her daughter, Hailey Villa, also a skateboarder, shared that the cause was complications from a stroke.
McGee’s legacy as a trailblazer in skateboarding began as a teenager in San Diego, where she embraced thrill-seeking activities like surfing and skateboarding. In December 1964, she won the women’s division at the first National Skateboard Championships in Santa Monica, California, cementing her place in history.
“It’s like riding a surfboard on the sidewalk or skiing without snow,” McGee told The Daily News in 1965, describing the joy of skateboarding. “It’s excitement. It’s kicks. It’s fun.”
A Champion’s Rise
Patti McGee began surfing in 1958 and took up skateboarding four years later. Her natural talent and daring spirit quickly elevated her in the burgeoning skateboarding scene. After her championship victory, she signed a $250-a-month contract with Hobie to promote their skateboards, marking her transition to a professional career.
As a Hobie ambassador, McGee traveled across the United States, performing tricks and demos at department stores, malls, and parking lots. Her signature move, a graceful handstand on her skateboard, became iconic, earning her a spot on the May 14, 1965, cover of Life magazine. The photo, taken by Bill Eppridge in Pittsburgh, depicted McGee in a red top and white capri pants, perfectly poised in her handstand.
The magazine cover catapulted her into the national spotlight, leading to appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Mike Douglas Show, and What’s My Line?
A Life of Action
Born on August 23, 1945, at Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Washington, Patricia Ann McGee grew up in San Diego’s Point Loma neighborhood. Raised primarily by her mother, Esther McGee, a teacher and Avon saleswoman, Patti showed an early affinity for action-packed pursuits. Her father, Jack McGee, an Army medic and pharmaceutical salesman, separated from the family when she was young.
By the 1960s, McGee was a fixture in San Diego’s skateboarding and surfing communities. Alongside friends, she skated the city’s hills and parking garages on homemade boards crafted by her brother, Jack. A fearless competitor, McGee embodied the vibrant spirit of the sport’s early days.
Skateboarding Ambassador
Though skateboarding didn’t provide a sustainable livelihood at the time, McGee’s influence endured. Over the decades, she pursued various careers, from mining turquoise and crafting leather goods in Nevada to working at a Western-themed attraction in Arizona. She also owned a shoe store and operated a gift shop in Cave Creek, Arizona, where she met her second husband, William Chace.
In 2004, McGee and her daughter Hailey launched Original Betty, a skateboard and apparel company that supported female skaters. She remained involved in the skateboarding community, attending events like the Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama, and in 2010, she became the first woman inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.
Legacy and Recognition
McGee’s life and achievements were immortalized in There Goes Patti McGee! The Story of the First Women’s National Skateboard Champion (2021), a children’s book by Tootie Nienow, illustrated by Erika Medina. The book celebrates McGee’s boldness, confidence, and groundbreaking role in skateboarding’s history.
Reflecting on her mother’s unique blend of toughness and sweetness, Hailey Villa said, “She was a badass and a goody two-shoes at the same time.”
Patti McGee is survived by her children, Hailey and Forest Villa, her brother Jack McGee, and two grandchildren. Her story remains an inspiration, reminding us of skateboarding’s transformative power and the trailblazers who pushed its boundaries.