First US female skateboard champion dies: The story of a handstand that changed history
A month ago skateboarding lost its ground-breaking female champion who won the first-ever US title back in 1964. Her famous Life magazine handstand photo made her the face of this new-wave sport
Patti McGee‚ who passed away last month at 79‚ changed skateboarding forever as Americas first female champion; her iconic Life magazine cover showing her doing a hand-stand on a board became the sports defining image
Born in 45 at a Washington state army-base (where her dad worked as a medic) McGee grew up in San Diego becoming part of the well-known surf crowd. Her skateboarding journey started with a home-made board: her brother took wheels from her roller-skates to create her first sidewalk-surfing experience. “We always had security guards after us wherever we went‚“ she once mentioned about those early-days
After getting a real Bun Buster board McGee won the womens championship in Santa Monica; this led to her becoming Hobie Skateboards demo-girl earning $250 monthly. Her nation-wide tour included appearances at Macys department stores and TV-shows like “Whats My Line“ and Johnny Carsons show. She even did a weather-report while hand-standing on her board
- Moved to Lake Tahoe in late 60s
- Started mining turquoise
- Sold leather goods
- Later relocated to Arizona
Her daughter Hailey brought her back to skating; they started a skate-wear business together. In 2010 McGee became the first woman in Skateboarding Hall of Fame: “stoked“ was her reaction. A childrens book “There Goes Patti McGee“ came out in 21
She married Glenn Villa first having two kids; her second husband William Chase whom she met at his trading post died in 15. Her children survive her
