It’s been an impressive start to 2025 for 18-year-old New Zealand snowboarder Rocco Jamieson. Competing in the prestigious X Games in Aspen, he secured the bronze medal in the men’s snowboard big air at his X Games debut. The Wanaka based athlete was the youngest competitor at the invite only games. The performance followed FIS World Cup podium finishes in August at Cardrona, and in October at Chur, Switzerland. Jamieson is known for wildly creative tricks like his “rubix flip,” a multiple-axis rotation (think Rubik’s Cube) that he describes as a combination of a sloth roll and a switch backside rodeo flip. Rocco Jamieson spoke to The Wag from the X-Games in Aspen about his two dogs.
TW: What breed are your dogs?
French and British Bulldogs
TW: How old are they and how long have you had them?
Chilli, the British, is 9yrs old. We’ve had her since she was 16 weeks old. Biggie, the Frenchie is 5yrs old. He was 8 weeks old when we got him.
TW: What are their personalities like?
Chilli is super chill, lazy and loving but she’s a bit spooked by loud noises and things like that. Biggie is really confident and funny and more hyper than Chilli but still likes a lot of sleep. He’s super clingy and follows us around everywhere.
TW: Do they have any particular tricks or talents?
No, they are useless.
TW: Any not so good traits?
Mmm, yes, many. They are very selfish breeds so they only do what they want. They love people so much but they aren’t good with other dogs.
TW: What are some of their favourite places to go, and things to do?
Their fav place is the couch or bed. They love their walks. Biggie loves going everywhere in the car and he looks out the window the whole time while Chilli hides in the back on the floor.
TW: What are some of the best things about having dogs?
I’ve always had dogs so I don’t know any different. I couldn’t not have them, although I do have to spend time travelling so I miss them heaps.
TW: What are you working on at the moment in your career?
I’m travelling, competing, trying to earn the points to get to the 2026 Winter Olympics which as of yesterday I’ve just managed to do. X Games was a biggie and was super fun.
