Lori Rarey (Hayden) is Wonder Woman. In the November 1978 issue of the National Skateboard Review on page 12, it was stated that “Lori Rarey did a chase scene for Warner Brothers Studios as the stunt double for Lynda Carter of Wonder Woman while Ellen O’Neal was the stunt double for the guest star, Cynthia Elberger [as Jamie].”
The episode was called “The Skateboard Wiz” (Season 3, episode 8), which aired on November 24, 1978.
On a DC Comics Facebook post from May 13, 2024 with the iconic video clips, “Wonder Woman, AKA Lynda Carter saves the day on a skateboard,” Lori made a comment. She said, “I did that stunt when I was 19. Lynda took the time to chat with me. What a beautiful kind woman. I am 63 now. I traded my board for horses many years ago. Still enjoying thrills and life. Great memories. What a blast getting to wear the Wonder Woman costume.” Lori’s high school friend, Christine Mazza even remembered accompanying her to the filming.
Lynda Carter as “Wonder Woman” discovering a skateboard (above)
Lori Rarey as “Wonder Woman” stunts-person, chasing the bad guys (above), although opting not to wear heeled boots!
Lori was a sponsored skateboarder representing Sims skateboards and Skatepark Paramount, which opened November 1977. Skatepark Paramount was about a 20-minute drive from Lori’s school, South Gate High in Los Angeles. She competed at the Hang-Ten Skateboard Olympics, April 1978 at Magic Mountain placing third in Junior Women (13-17) for slalom behind Edie Robertson and Brenda Devine.
A major highlight of Lori’s skateboarding journey was traveling to Caracas, Venezuela in early 1979 along with Vicki Vickers, Laura Thornhill, Chris Chaput, Paul Hoffman, Bobby Boyden and Tony Jetton. Later that year, in the June 1979 issue of Skateboarder on page 44, there’s a brief mention that Lori was given a special award of “Most Outrageous Garb,” possibly in reference to her Wonder Woman outfit?
Vicki happened to be a big fan of Lori, and I believe they eventually became roommates. In Vicki’s 1978 “Who’s Hot” article from Skateboarder, she acknowledged Lori, along with Jana Payne and Ellen Oneal as being among her favourite female skaters. And again, in her six-page feature the following year, December 1979, Vicki gave props to Lori along with Brenda Devine, Leilani Kiyabu, Kim Cespedes, Terry Lawrence, Stephanie Fernandez of Mexico, and a young protégé named Canon “Bunny” Price. Unfortunately, I have yet to stumble upon a skateboard magazine interview of Lori, and I’ve been searching.
Years later, Lori would go on to work as a police officer with the West Covina Police Department and had an extensive background in training and handling police dogs and horses. The Newport Beach Police Department recognized her efforts when she became a volunteer sworn officer Mounted Unit at the 135th Tournament of Roses Parade. The photos of Lori definitely have Wonder Woman vibes!
Lori has now retired and lives in Redmond, Oregon. I would be so grateful for an introduction to Lori. I’ve reached out via Facebook and will cross my fingers.
Womxn Skateboard History 