Reese Nelson enjoys a relaxing afternoon by perfecting a new version of a nose grab 720 in San Diego while wearing her favorite Eminem shirt. She also likes figuring out new ways to perform a kickflip nose slide to fakie and attempting NBDs — “never been done” tricks that could help her win X Games Ventura 2024 this weekend.
All of this while being watched by none other than Tony Hawk. Yes, that Tony Hawk. The scenario of an 11-year-old skateboarding prodigy training with the sport’s greatest of all time is like a dream come true.
Now, imagine a stressful afternoon for Nelson. Trying to dress up her cat, Bloody Mary, can be hectic, especially when Mary is uncooperative. Then there’s the occasional squabble with her younger sister while playing with dolls, not to mention the frustrations of a bad ending to a game of Minecraft.
For some, these examples might seem backward. Playing with dolls and pets should be joyful, while attempting insane tricks on a vert ramp should be the difficult part. But for Nelson, the youngest-ever X Games medalist after last year’s event in California, the harder the trick, the more determined she is to conquer it.
She understands that her lifestyle is challenging, but she faces it head-on every day with a helmet and pads, making vert ramp battles look like child’s play. With support from a generational talent like Hawk, who has been a dominant force in skateboarding since turning pro at 14, Nelson’s relentless pursuit of greatness is evident.
“She goes for the most difficult tricks to learn and she nails them. She even invents her own tricks,” Hawk remarked. “She was doing tricks at the age of 10 or 11 that had never even been considered in our world. She’s way ahead of anyone her age or even older. It’s like she skipped the foundational steps in skateboarding to master the most elite tricks.”
Her exceptional talent, coupled with humility and a delightful personality, has made Nelson a fan favorite worldwide. Having earned a silver medal at X Games 2023 at just 10 years and 8 months old, Nelson is gearing up for X Games 2024 in Ventura, Calif. She will once again showcase her skills in the Women’s Skateboard Vert event, aiming to impress with her control, originality, and overall use of the vert ramp.
While winning a gold medal would be a tremendous honor, for Nelson, competing for the love of the sport is the primary motivation. Many X Games competitors view this weekend as make or break, but for Nelson, it’s all about having fun and enjoying the game.
Even though she’s already considered a wunderkind in the skateboarding world, Nelson remains focused on the joy of skating rather than the pressure of building a legacy.
“I realized quickly that she had something extraordinary,” Hawk reflected.
Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Nelson and her family relocated to San Diego three years ago due to her father’s job. Surrounded by a non-skateboarding household, Nelson discovered snowboarding at the age of 4 during Canadian winters and later transitioned to skateboarding at 8 after moving to California.
Her journey from learning to control a skateboard to mastering vert ramp tricks turned a hobby into a spotlight-stealing career she never anticipated.
“It all sort of happened naturally,” Nelson explained. “I was just skateboarding for fun, and then I started competing. Everything just fell into place all at once.”
“She had already fallen in love with skating in Canada but didn’t have the right facilities that catered to her interest in vertical, half-pipe skating,” Hawk added. “When they moved, they realized they were in the hub of vert skating.”
Starting with small ramps, Nelson progressed to working with pro skater Lincoln Ueda, a friend of Hawk’s, who also coaches members of the Chinese national team. Hawk received a call from Ueda that immediately caught his attention.
“He said, ‘You have to see this little girl,’” Hawk recalled.
Impressed by Nelson’s performance videos, Hawk reached out to Nelson’s mother, Lindsey Bedier, via social media and invited the family to his warehouse. Witnessing Nelson’s skills in person, Hawk offered her a spot on his Birdhouse Skateboards team.
“It was unbelievable. I told my husband, ‘Tony Hawk just messaged me,’” Bedier exclaimed. “Everyone thinks we moved to California for skateboarding, but we’re not that hardcore. It was so surreal when he reached out.”
Since their initial meeting, Nelson and Hawk have formed a close bond, balancing between a professional mentorship and friendly camaraderie. While some days are business-focused, others are filled with shared laughs and goofiness.
There are moments when Nelson almost forgets that Tony Hawk is the Tony Hawk. His impressive list of accomplishments, including being the first to land a recorded 900 in 1999, paints a different picture from the perspective of a young protege who was born after Hawk’s prime years.
Reminded constantly of Hawk’s fame, especially during outings to places like P.F. Chang’s (where she enjoys chicken fried rice) or skate park events, Nelson sees firsthand the excitement of Hawk’s fans. However, being born in 2012, she doesn’t fully grasp the magnitude of Hawk’s legacy.
“It’s always strange when people come up for pictures,” Nelson remarked about Hawk.
“When we first visited the warehouse, she was like, ‘Oh, cool … let’s skate,’” Bedier recalled, amused. “She had no idea.”
Hawk sees the humor in their dynamic. As a seasoned skateboarding mentor, Hawk sometimes finds himself outmaneuvered by Nelson’s strong will. Despite offering advice based on decades of experience, he often finds himself taking a back seat to the determination of a preteen.
However, Hawk appreciates Nelson’s mental approach to the sport, as she remains focused on her goals while staying true to herself.
“She is fiercely determined and dedicated, almost to a fault. She refuses to give up,” Hawk observed. “There are times when I suggest basic tricks, and she’ll respond, ‘I don’t like them.’ But I did help her learn a couple of tricks. I’ll take credit for that.”
@reese__nelson 🌪️ #padup #187killerpads pic.twitter.com/oUEcYRL45X
— 187KILLERPADS (@187KILLERPADS) May 28, 2024
As the middle child in her family, Nelson brings a diverse personality to the table. She’s a fan of Eminem and enjoys vibing to his tracks to get in the zone. When unwinding, she tunes in to the Netflix series “Nailed It!” and other baking shows.
Previously homeschooled, Nelson is looking forward to attending seventh grade in person this fall. It will be a return to schooling with other students after years of independent study.
When asked what’s more nerve-wracking — starting middle school or landing 540s and 720s — Nelson didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Going to middle school. I mean, like, I’m nervous,” she admitted.
Upon her return to school, Nelson will have a treasure trove of stories to share, given her unique and unconventional life. Her mother, Bedier, describes her daughter’s life as “strange,” but not in a negative way. It’s a testament to the incredible experiences and opportunities that have come her way.
How many people can say they know Hawk personally? Or casually skate with him and Beastie Boys member Ad-Rock in a single day, treating it as just another fun experience?
“Tony asked, ‘You want to skate with Ad-Rock from the Beastie Boys?’” Bedier recounted. “Reese was like, ‘Sure.’ And I’m like … ‘Seriously?!’
When she’s not skateboarding, Nelson admires her favorites like Tom Schaar and Colin McKay, paying homage to their skills and style. It’s not a knock on Hawk, just a personal preference.
“Tony is good, but I really like Tom Schaar’s skating. He’s strong and aggressive,” Nelson shared. “Colin’s like that, too. Tony does good tricks, though.”
Nelson also keeps an eye on rising youth skateboarder Arisa Trew, who recently made headlines for becoming the first female skateboarder to land a recorded 900. Trew’s accomplishment, 25 years after Hawk’s historic 900, is a testament to the evolving landscape of women’s skateboarding.
“She works hard. She’s good,” Nelson lauded of Trew. “I haven’t really thought about trying the 900 myself.”
ICYMI … The legacy of the 900 continues!
History has been made again and the similarities are uncanny.
First @tonyhawk landed the World’s First 900 at X Games 1999, now Arisa Trew has become the first woman to land a 900 on a skateboard.
The torch has been passed. pic.twitter.com/0NqYlB9kAH
— X Games (@XGames) May 31, 2024
Ultimately, for Nelson, skateboarding is about joy and passion rather than the pursuit of a legacy. While winning a gold medal at X Games would be a significant achievement, the experience of competing at such a prestigious event is what truly matters.
Hawk consistently reminds Nelson that at this stage in her life, winning isn’t everything. While a gold medal would be remarkable, the journey and the love for the sport should take precedence.
Handling expectations is perhaps Hawk’s most challenging task as a mentor, especially with a young prodigy who enjoys pushing boundaries and attempting the most difficult maneuvers. Some days, Nelson nails those moves, while on others, she falls short — but always striving for perfection.
“She’s very hard on herself, but I want her to enjoy the process,” Hawk noted. “Her determination and fierceness are like an impenetrable wall.”
“I do feel pressure, but it’s self-imposed. I push myself to be perfect and learn everything flawlessly every time. It can be frustrating when things don’t go as planned,” Nelson admitted.
With Hawk as a mentor, Nelson finds balance in her life, aided by Hawk’s understanding of the challenges she faces as a young competitor and the support he provides to both Nelson and her family.
Bedier values the advice and support Hawk offers not just for Reese’s skating but also as a parent navigating the world of skateboarding.
“It’s been over three years, and Tony has become someone I rely on for guidance and support, not just for Reese’s skating, but also in terms of my role as a parent and how to support her,” Bedier shared. “His advice has been invaluable in helping us navigate the world of skateboarding.”
Sunday will be Nelson’s time to shine, and she’s prepared for the spotlight. Yet, her pursuit of greatness is for the love of the sport and the memories it creates, rather than seeking fame and fortune.
X Games will witness another chapter in the rise of a young star while Nelson gets another opportunity to showcase her skills and prove why she’s a force to be reckoned with.
“She impresses even the veteran vert skaters in their 20s and 30s. It’s not just about her age, she’s simply that good,” Hawk concluded.
“It’s been a whirlwind these past three years, and we didn’t seek any of this out,” Bedier added. “Reese has a wonderful support system. We truly hit the jackpot.”
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Ric Tapia / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images and Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)