Hometown: Medford, New Jersey, USA (raised), Pemberton, New Jersey, USA (born)
Stance: Regular
Ricky Oyola is a professional skateboarder from Medford, New Jersey, known for defining East Coast street skating with his raw style and fast lines. He began skating in 1985 and quickly became a central figure in the Philadelphia skate scene, helping put the city on the global skate map in the 1990s alongside Matt Reason, Sergei Trudnowski, and Roger Browne. His powerful skating and strong opinions made him a standout in an era when East Coast talent was often overlooked by the industry.
Oyola gained widespread recognition for his part in "Eastern Exposure 3" (1996), filmed by Dan Wolfe, which showcased his speed, creativity, and flowing street lines through Philadelphia’s city blocks. Throughout his career, he skated for many major brands including Zoo York, New Deal, Kastel Shoes, Spitfire, Nicotine, Duffs, Vox, Converse, Vision Street Wear, and Krux Trucks.
He also created and ran several companies that reflected his vision for skateboarding. He co-founded 'Illuminati', which later evolved into 'Silverstar', and in 2003, he launched 'Traffic Skateboards', a brand dedicated to East Coast street skating. Under his leadership, Traffic featured riders like Bobby Puleo, Jack Sabback, and Rich Adler, and released respected videos like "Via" (2006) and "Tokyo Transfer" (2009).
Oyola’s video resume includes parts in "Devastation" (1991), "Real Life" (1994), "411VM #10" (1995), "7 Year Glitch" (2002), and "Static II" (2004), among others. His influence stretches beyond footage—he’s managed tours, mentored younger skaters, and kept the East Coast spirit alive. Despite skateboarding’s shifting landscape, Oyola remains committed to authentic street skating and continues to run Traffic Skateboards while representing his roots in Philadelphia with pride.