[5] Oyama began skating professionally in the mid-1970s at age 16, competing mainly in men's skateboarding contests, as women's categories had not yet been established in the sport.

[3][10][11] Oyama was sponsored by Santa Cruz Skateboards[2] and garnered additional sponsorships by brands managed under the NHS, Inc. umbrella, including Independent Trucks, OJ Wheels, Park Riders, and Cellblock.

[1] She was featured in the 2023 documentary N-Men: The Untold Story, a film about the global impact of skateboarders from Northern California in the 1970s (starring Tony Hawk and produced by Josh Brolin).

Her skating helmet from 1979 and first-place trophy from the 4th Berkeley Contest are held in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

[2][17] Oyama began her career in graphic design in the 1970s, silk screening skateboards at Santa Cruz Skateboards, airbrushing surfboards at Santa Cruz Surf Shop, and creating Thrasher skate ads and clothing designs for Hurley.