15 Most Influential Female Skateboarders Of All Time Ranked

Mariah Duran entered her first skateboarding competition at the age of 13 in her hometown of Albuquerque and went Pro for Meow Skateboards in 2016, joining then Meow team members Leo Baker, Vanessa Torres, Adrianne Sloboh, and others.

Duran has won several accolades throughout her career, including a gold medal at X Games Minneapolis in the women’s skateboarding street competition in 2018.

Furthermore, she was also among the 16 members of the inaugural U.S.A Skateboarding National Team announced in March 2019 and competed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in the Women’s Street division.

Born on 20 June 1984, in Santos, Brazil, Karen Jonz began skateboarding at a young age. Her natural talent and dedication quickly set her apart, leading to her recognition within the Brazilian skateboarding community.

Jonz has achieved notable success at the X Games, one of the premier events in extreme sports.

She has earned multiple gold medals in the Women's Skateboard Vert discipline, solidifying her status as a top vert skateboarder globally.

In addition to her success in skating, Karen has participated in Street League Skateboarding (SLS), showcasing her versatility in both park and street disciplines.

Poppy Starr Olsen has won several medals in the X Games, including a bronze medal in women’s park at X Games Minneapolis 2017.

Olsen became world champion in the over-14 age group in 2014 and in the over-15 age group in 2015. 

In 2016, she won the professional division of the Vans Combi Classic and became the first female Australian to compete in the Summer X Games. 

Moreover, she was named as part of Australia’s inaugural Olympic skateboarding team to compete at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Vanessa Torres is sponsored by Meow Skateboards and was the first woman to win X Games gold in 2003 in the street event (then called Park).

Torres has also won several other medals in the X Games, including bronze in 2015 at Austin and 2016 at Oslo. She began skateboarding at the age of 14 and turned pro at the age of 173. 

Moreover, she has been featured in several women’s skateboarding videos such as AKA: Girl Skater (2003), Getting Nowhere Faster (2004), and Quit Your Day Job (2014). 

Nora Vasconcellos has participated in Street League Skateboarding (SLS), showcasing her skills in street skateboarding. 

Born on 25 July 1992, in Pembroke, Massachusetts, Vasconcellos has become a prominent figure in the global skateboarding community.

She represented the United States in the inaugural skateboarding events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her participation marked a historic moment for skateboarding as it made its debut in the Olympic Games.

Not only that but she has been a standout competitor in the Vans Park Series, a global skateboarding competition series that showcases the best park skateboarders.

Sky Brown is the youngest professional skateboarder in the world and has won several accolades throughout her career.

Brown won a bronze medal in the women’s park skateboarding event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, making her the country’s youngest-ever medallist. She also won the park event at the 2023 World Skateboarding Championship.

Furthermore, she started her career by learning tricks from YouTube and does not have a skateboarding coach. She sometimes practices with Shaun White who won Olympic snowboarding medals.

Nicole Hause is a member of the inaugural U.S.A Skateboarding National Team and will compete to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in the Women’s Park Division.

Hause began competing in 2013 and made her debut at the 2016 Summer X Games. She has won several competitions, including the 2017 Vert Attack Woman’s Champion title.

Furthermore, she is sponsored by brands such as Real Skateboards, The House Boardshop, Bern Helmets, and 187 Knee Pads.

Cara-Beth Burnside has won more than 16 titles in competitions such as the X Games, All Girl Skate Jam, Vans Triple Crown, Slam City Jam and Soul Bowl.

Burnside has also won two X Games gold medals, five Vans Triple Crown titles, and four All Girls Skate Jam titles 23.

Moreover, she started skating at the age of 10 and began competing professionally against men when she was 23. She was the first woman to appear on the cover of Thrasher Magazine.

In 1999, Cara-Beth became the first woman to have a signature skate shoe. Burnside is also a vocal advocate for women and inclusivity in action sports

Alana Smith is a professional skateboarder from Arizona. They are the first non-binary athlete to compete in the Olympics.

In 2013, at the age of 12, Smith landed a 540 McTwist and became the youngest medalist in X Games history when they won silver in the women’s park event at the X Games Barcelona.

They have won several competitions, including the Vans Park Series and the Exposure Skate contest. They finished first in the Girls Combi Pool Classic at the World Cup of Skateboarding in 2015.

In 2021, Smith competed in the women’s street skateboarding event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, finishing in last place out of the 20 competitors at the heat stage. 

Allysha Bergado is a professional skateboarder from Oceanside, California and she has won several accolades throughout her career, including placing at events like the X Games and the Pro-Tec Pool Party. 

Bergado has also been featured on channels like Disney and Nickelodeon. She has been skating since she was 6 years old. 

Not only that but she has won several competitions, including the Exposure Women’s Vert Open in 2019. She is sponsored by brands such as Dickies, Spy, and Liquid Death.

Lizzie Armanto made history in 2019 by becoming the first woman to complete Tony Hawk's infamous loop ramp.

Armanto has consistently performed well at the X Games, one of the premier events in skateboarding. She has secured multiple podium finishes and earned respect for her innovation and style on the global stage.

Furthermore, she has been a prominent competitor in the Vans Park Series, a global skateboarding series that showcases the best park skateboarders from around the world.

Her performances in these events have contributed to her reputation as a top-tier skateboarder.

Peggy Oki rose to prominence as a member of the Zephyr Skateboard Team (Z-Boys) during the 1970s. This team, led by skateboarding legends Stacy Peralta and Tony Alva, played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of modern skateboarding.

Known for her smooth and flowing style on the skateboard, Oki demonstrated a unique approach to riding pools and ramps. 

As one of the few female members of the Z-Boys during a male-dominated era, she paved the way for future generations of female skateboarders. 

Leticia Bufoni started skateboarding at the age of nine, quickly showcasing natural talent and a deep passion for the sport. 

Bufoni has been a consistent force at the X Games, one of the premier events in skateboarding.

Moreover, she has secured multiple gold medals in the Women's Street competition, showcasing her technical skills, daring tricks, and competitive edge.

She has competed in various World Skateboarding Championships, consistently placing among the top contenders. Her participation in international competitions has further solidified her status as a global skateboarding icon.

Elissa Steamer began skateboarding in 1989 and turned pro in 1998 after winning the women’s street section at Slam City Jam in 1998.

Steamer has ridden for companies such as Toy Machine, Baker, Zero, Etnies, and Nike. She has won several gold medals in the X Games, including the women’s street section in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 20093.

Furthermore, she was the first female skateboarder to receive a pro-model shoe from Etnies.

Elissa was also the first female skateboarder to be featured in a video game when she appeared in the first five installments of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series.

Patti McGee is a trailblazing figure in the world of skateboarding, recognized for her pioneering contributions that laid the foundation for women in the sport.

Born on 23 May 1945, her skateboarding career began to gain prominence during the 1960s when skateboarding was still in its infancy.

One of the defining moments of her career occurred in 1965 when she made history by becoming the first woman to win the Women's National Skateboard Championship. 

Beyond her competition success, Patti played a crucial role in popularizing skateboarding among women during the sport's early years.