Immeasurable Love and Driving Forces

By Erika Houle

Illustrations by Joe Monteleone

 

Jamie Foy, Rowan Zorilla, Elijah Berle, and Nico Hiraga share a sense of fierce individualism—they’ve all created their own lanes without adhering or confining themselves to any industry “rules” or traditions. Foy’s love for fishing sparks as much joy as his fearless and precise ability to skate handrails. The way Zorilla flows through any environment is equally elegant and entirely unpredictable. Nobody reinvents themselves—time after time—better than Berle. It’s extremely rare to see an accomplished actor land the cover of the Thrasher, but Hiraga’s made it possible. More than their idiosyncratic styles and extraordinary talent, Foy, Zorilla, Berle, and Hiraga have indescribably heartwarming relationships with their biggest fans and lifelong supporters in common, too. Their brilliant moms were generous enough to share advice, insights, and uplifting reflections on parenting pro skaters—thank you Nancy, Anne, Lillian, and Alison, your words mean the world to us.

 

NANCY FOY

What’s a common catchphrase or motto you always return to?

Work hard, play hard! It doesn’t get much harder than being a U.S. Marine. That’s why I think I like to do crazy stuff like skydiving and driving dune buggies in the Sahara! That might have something to do with raising three kids that all excel at extreme sports, too. Jamie’s sister Chelsea is a wakeboarder, gymnastics coach, and orthopedic physician assistant. His sister Brittany is a wakeboarder, gymnast, and firefighter/paramedic.

What do you see as the most unique or rewarding thing about being a professional skateboarder?

I see the adventures that come his way and I am so amazed by them. He gets to travel all over the world with good friends and meet so many amazing people. I love the fact that he can make a living doing what he loves, I think it’s so awesome.

Do you remember what Jamie first wanted to be growing up?

Ever since I can remember he always wanted to be a pro skateboarder. His big sister Chelsea introduced him to wake skating and he became the National Jr. Champion when he was 14 or 15, but his first love was always skateboarding.

What advice would you give to a young skateboarder who wants to follow in his footsteps?

Skate every day with good friends that hype you up, and hopefully one of them is a filmer.

In your opinion, what are the best ways to show up or show support for someone?

To be there in person as much as possible and have fun! I just let him be him.

Do you have a favorite family tradition?

We have lots of family traditions, but I think my favorite one is coloring Easter eggs with my kids no matter how old they get. We go crazy with glitter, tie dye, metallics, speckled oil, wax, rubber bands—you name it. We decorate more than a dozen eggs per person usually. I would especially love it when my kids would bring some friends who never decorated eggs before, and they loved it. Then I would take lots of pictures of everybody going egg crazy!

Was there something you learned from your parents that you knew you wanted to pass on to your kids?

My mom always told me I could do anything I wanted to if I set my mind to it. It was my mom’s motorcycle that I learned to ride when I was a teen.

What’s the greatest advice you ever received?

When I was 17 years old my mom and great aunt sat me down and said, “We think you should join the Army to get out of town, see the world, and get money for college.” I thought it was a good idea, so I took the test immediately and went to see the Army Recruiters. I was still a junior in high school, but I wanted to set it up so that I shipped out as soon as I graduated. The Army couldn’t do it at the time, but the Marines could, so Parris Island boot camp it was! I got to see the world and work at the Pentagon!

In what ways do you see yourself in Jamie?

I see my love for excitement, travel, and extreme adventure in Jamie. When he was three, I made the mistake of taking him on the tower of terror ride in Orlando. I had no idea what that ride was like. I had to hold on to him for dear life because the bar didn’t come close to holding him in his seat. He was traumatized for a little while after that but thank God he got over it. Now he loves all the crazy stuff I love and more!

Perhaps impossible to answer: What’s the best part of being in your family?

We always like trying new things together and going on fun adventures. I think our best loved adventure was when Jamie, Brittany, Chelsea and I all drove from Florida up to Vermont for a snowboarding trip. We were in a Hyundai Sonata with summer tires when we drove right into a blizzard. We had to be towed up the mountain by a truck, Chelsea broke her wrist on a fall, Brittany got a concussion on a rail, Jamie cut up his face falling off the side of the slope, and my nerves were shot from driving in the blizzard. But it was the best trip ever and we still talk about it till this day.

 

ANNE ZORILLA

What’s a common catchphrase or motto you always return to?

A motto that I try to live by is “Count your blessings.” I have been blessed with an amazing family! I grew up with supportive parents and fabulous siblings. Then I married my wonderful husband and we have three amazing kids. Recently, we added our fabulous daughter in law, Alex. I feel very blessed.

What do you see as the most unique or rewarding thing about being a professional skateboarder?

Rowan gets to travel the world with his friends and do what he loves… skate! He has been to so many great locations and made so many memories. Rowan has skating to thank for meeting his amazing wife, Alex. They met when Rowan was on a skate trip in Philadelphia.

Do you remember what Rowan first wanted to be growing up?

The first thing I remember him saying [is that] he wanted to be a professional soccer player.

What advice would you give to a young skateboarder who wants to follow in his footsteps?

Find your group of skaters who are having fun but also share your passion for skating. Be patient with yourself when it’s hard to land a certain trick. It takes a lot of practice to improve your skills. Film each other.

In your opinion, what are the best ways to show up or show support for someone?

I like to check in on my people. I like to send cards with handwritten notes. I try to ask questions about how my loved ones are really doing, without crossing the line of prying. Adult children need to be independent of course, but also need to be reminded that their parents are always available.

Do you have a favorite family tradition?

My favorite family tradition is absolutely spending Christmas together with my husband, Dan, and our kids. On Christmas Eve or Christmas night, we go to the beach and watch the sunset. We play games on the beach. When we still had our sweet dog, Ella, we would take her with us. We also play board games, watch old home videos, and sometimes have lively Nerf gun wars!

Was there something you learned from your parents that you knew you wanted to pass on to your kids?

I always felt loved. My parents were affectionate with us. I wanted to pass that on to Rowan, Kaitlyn and Brynn. My husband felt the same way!

What’s the greatest advice you’ve ever received?

Be present in the moment. Enjoy each stage of life, because time flies by so quickly.

In what ways do you see yourself in Rowan?

Rowan’s family and friends are so important to him. He values his relationships.

Perhaps impossible to answer: What’s the best part of being in your family?

We all not only love each other, but we genuinely like each other as well. We support each other. We have fun!

 

 

LILLIAN LAGEYRE

What’s a common catchphrase or motto you always return to?

Be kind.

What do you see as the most unique or rewarding thing about being a professional skateboarder?

Being rewarded for following your passion.

Do you remember what Elijah first wanted to be growing up?

A superhero or a skateboarder?

What advice would you give to a young skateboarder who wants to follow in his footsteps?

Remember why you do what you do….pure love! Don’t get lost in the hype, and maybe get a manager.

In your opinion, what are the best ways to show up or show support for someone?

Just be there, no judgment.

Do you have a favorite family tradition?

Christmas morning with my boys.

Was there something you learned from your parents that you knew you wanted to pass on to your kids?

Exactly what not to do.

What’s the greatest advice you’ve ever received?

“Buy the worst house on the best block” - Rodney Berle

In what ways do you see yourself in Elijah?

So many…they say that the first born son is most like their mother.

Perhaps impossible to answer: What’s the best part of being in your family?

Everything!

ALISON HIRAGA

What’s a common catchphrase or motto you always return to?

I don’t have a catchphrase or motto. I sometimes call Nico “my son, my sun”, because he shines. He has “Nana korobi ya oki” tattooed on his arm—that’s an expression from his dad meaning roughly “fall down seven times, rise up eight.” It’s a good one for him, he has a resilient core. He’s very tough when he needs to be.

What do you see as the most unique or rewarding thing about being a professional skateboarder?

The reward for being a skateboarder is the community, I think. Nico has had a scruffy, determined, loyal group of what he calls his Day Ones who have been with him through thick and thin, when other friendships have faded away. That group has grown over the years and they’re all tough, give-you-the-shirt-off-your-back, see-you-through-thick-and-thin people. They all show each other a lot of love.

Do you remember what Nico first wanted to be growing up?

I’m pretty sure the only thing Nico ever expressed wanting to be was a pro skateboarder. At a very early age he knew that it was the thing that brought him the most joy.

What advice would you give to a young skateboarder who wants to follow in his footsteps?

Nico practiced all the time. I heard the scrape of skate wheels all day long. So technically, yes, practice. On a personal level, he gets along with most people. He doesn’t come in truculent or aggressive, he’s a friendly, loving guy. I think that’s got to help you in life wherever you’re trying to go.

In your opinion, what are the best ways to show up or show support for someone?

That’s a time commitment—you’ve got to be willing to listen a lot, provide a shoulder to lean on, not dictate to people what they should or shouldn’t be or do. Meet them where they are and support that.

Do you have a favorite family tradition?

No family tradition, really. We really love hanging out together, though—Nico, his dad, and me. Just the three of us. It doesn’t happen so much, because we have a large extended family and Nico is very social, but when it’s just the three of us we celebrate it.

Was there something you learned from your parents that you knew you wanted to pass on to your kids?

Nico’s a water baby, loves the ocean. That is something that very much runs through my family. Being next to or in the water is the best place to be.

I think Nico gets his work ethic from Jun. He plays hard, definitely, but when it’s time to work, whether it’s a skate part or an acting role, he’s all in and takes it very seriously. He is never the weak link.

What’s the greatest advice you’ve ever received?

I’m not sure it was told to me (and Jun) but it was something we learned as parents, earlier rather than later as luck would have it: Let Nico be Nico. He knew who he was from an early age, and he more or less knew his life path. It was an unfamiliar one to Jun and me, so we were understandably nervous, and it took a while for us to realize that he wasn’t going to fit in any traditional box. Once we embraced that it was smooth sailing, and it’s been a wild ride with him ever since!

In what ways do you see yourself in Nico?

I think he gets his sunny-side-up personality from me and he’s physically very affectionate. I’m like that, too.

Perhaps impossible to answer: What’s the best part of being in your family?

We are a really tight family, we know each other well and trust each other. The best thing about my family for me is Nico and Jun. Jun would say it’s Nico and me. And Nico would say it’s Jun and me. That’s as good as it gets.