nk","22",{"rel":"apple-touch-icon","href":"https://fuse-pop.com/static/assets/images/fusepop_logo_transparent_512x512.png"}],["$","link","23",{"rel":"apple-touch-icon-precomposed","href":"https://fuse-pop.com/static/assets/images/fusepop_logo_transparent_512x512.png"}]] d:null 15:T79d,

Patti McGee, a pioneering figure in skateboarding who became the sport's first female professional athlete and helped popularize it across America in the 1960s, has died at 79. Her family announced that she passed away on January 14, 2024, in her California home.

McGee rose to prominence in 1964 when she won the first National Skateboard Championship for Women at the age of 19. Her dynamic style and innovative techniques caught the attention of the Hobie Skateboards team, who signed her as their first female professional rider. She became skateboarding's most visible female ambassador, appearing on the cover of Life magazine and demonstrating her skills on national television shows, including 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.'

During the mid-1960s skateboarding boom, McGee traveled extensively across the United States, performing demonstrations that inspired countless young people, particularly girls, to take up the sport. Her signature move, the 'McGee stance,' involved riding on the nose of the board while striking a model-like pose, combining athleticism with grace in a way that helped legitimize skateboarding as both a sport and an art form.

McGee's influence on skateboarding culture extended well beyond her competitive career. She was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in 2010, recognized not only for her athletic achievements but also for her role in breaking gender barriers in action sports. Her advocacy for women in skateboarding helped pave the way for future generations of female skaters.

Throughout her life, McGee remained an enthusiastic supporter of skateboarding, continuing to promote the sport and mentor young skaters well into her later years. She is survived by h

Patti McGee on FusePop