Peggy Oki


Peggy E. Oki is an American skateboarder, surfer, artist, and environmental activist. Oki was an original member of the Z-Boys, and competed with the Zephyr Competition Team in the 1970s. She was the only female member of the Z-Boys.

Early life and education

Oki was born in Los Angeles, California, to Ben Oki and Sadako Oki. Oki's father was a Sacramento-born Nisei. Oki's family is originally from Hiroshima, Japan. Oki grew up in West Los Angeles, in an area later called Dogtown. Her father bought Oki her first skateboard when she was 10 years old from the Fedco department store. She said it was a Black Knight skateboard with "Fred Flintstone rock wheels".
In 1973, Oki graduated from Venice High School.
Oki has an AA in biology from Santa Monica City College. She has an AA in fine and studio arts from Santa Barbara City College. Oki received a BFA in painting from the College of Creative Studies at UCSB with an emphasis on environmental art.

Career

In the 1970s, while attending Santa Monica City College, Oki began skating on the original Zephyr Competition Team also known Z-Boys. Oki, who was a surfer and motocross rider, met skateboarder Jay Adams, who asked her if she wanted to join the Zephyr team. Oki went to Jeff Ho's shop Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions on Main Street in Venice, where the team was based, and joined the team.
Oki's skateboarding style was described as raw and gritty.
In March 1975, Oki took first place in Women's Freestyle at the Del Mar Nationals skateboarding competition. Oki said that she did not enjoy the politics of competing or the wait time involved where there wasn't much skating happening, so stopped shortly after the Del Mar event.
Since 1998, Oki has worked as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer selling fine art cards as Oki Designs. Oki has also worked freelance in the fields of landscape and architectural design.
In 2001, Oki appeared in the film Dogtown and Z-Boys.
From 2003 to 2008, Oki taught art at Santa Barbara City College, Continuing Education and youth art programs through the Carpinteria Valley Arts Council.
In March 2004, Oki founded the Origami Whales Project to raise awareness about commercial whaling in Japan, Norway. and Iceland.
Since 2011, Oki has been an environmental art instructor at the Origami Whales Project's Whales and Dolphins Ambassador Program. The program works with students to educate them about the human created threats to cetaceans and the ocean habitats where they live.

Personal life

Oki lives in Los Angeles and Raglan, New Zealand.
Oki went vegan around 15 years ago for ethical reasons, and before that she was a vegetarian.
Oki is involved with many activities such as yoga, skateboarding, rock climbing, and has been a life-long surfer.

Awards