Introduction
“When I call I either get “Hi this is Coco and I’m prolly buzy right now”, or I get a “hola cheeky dogg” from one of the most genuine people I’ve ever known. Coco arrived on the scene in 2004, after a long time friend had moved from their hometown in Chile to Dallas, Texas. I received a call from a dirt jumper named Sean Tarrant letting me know he had found someone with something special.
The GT Air Show was the mid summer tour, so we re-routed through Texas and swooped up Coco. Along side Cameron White, Coco rapidly took his riding to the next level. It was such a rad experience; watching this kid from Chile, become one of the absolute very best in the world. With a fluid riding style and powerhouse tricks, Coco has quickly changed how people look at BMX vert riding. In four years of Summer tour, if my math is correct, that is a few hundred BMX shows, a few speeding tickets, too many late night drives, A LOT of java chips, spending almost every waking moment with this kid from Chile and I can only remember being mad at him twice. Once for rushing me and another time he didn’t want to drive haha.
Thank you Pedro. You’re an amazing friend and an all around awesome cheeky dogg! I’m excited to watch what you do in BMX in the future!” – Bo Wade
Name: Francisco “Coco” Zurita. DOB: O4.15.1984. Riding Since: 1998. Sponsors: Vans, Oakley, Woodward West, Ogio, Vivid Racing, spinimaging, meds, General Tires.
1) Hello Coco – Let’s start, You’re a proud promoter of your homeland, Chile – Can you tell us a bit about growing up in Chile? And of course, the BMX scene?
Yes, I love Chile, as a country it’s amazing – Cool people, vast spaces, big mountains (snowboarding), good waves (surfing), amazing wine (non-drinker, but heard it’s good! Ha ha!). Also, what makes it really special, is the fact it homes my family and friends – I grew up with them.
I grew up like all the other children attending school – I had to! I remember trying to finish my homework as quickly as possible, so I could get out on my BMX!
The actual BMX scene itself in Chile is sick! Back in the day, the ramp scene was very small and the pros were really good. But they were just for the eyes in Chile, not the eyes of the world – The scene has been growing a lot during the past few years, but it’s not even close to that of the US scene.
We were greatly influenced through videos and magazines – That was our motivation, to be like the gringos in the magazines, ha ha!
2) At what point, did you start to focus your motivation on becoming a professional? And what lifestyle changes were needed, in order to achieve this metamorphosis?
As I got older, I realized it was impossible to live of BMX in Chile – The only way to make it happen was traveling to the US, I had no other chance! So that’s what I did.
This is BMX “Freestyle” – There wasn’t any plans at all! I just rode my bike like a mad man! Non-stop! There wasn’t any specific changes in my life for wanting to become a PRO, the changes happened, after I meet Jesus!
My Pro turning point was when I was working all day long and then riding one or two days a week, it was terrible, but I never gave up, thank God I met up with the GT team and started doing shows for them, that’s when I became a PRO rider!
3) At present, how do you allocate your time between riding disciplines? And, have you always maintained a similar balance?
Well, believe it or not, I ride more park than vert. There’s always more people to ride park with, so it’s easier… But I try to ride vert every time I ride my bike; I use dirt jumping to warm up for the vert ramp. I don’t work to a schedule – I just go with the flow, and try to meet up with friends. Enjoyment is the key, the same as it was when I was 16 years old.
4) Your approach to vert riding, has been compared to the style of a trails rider – Has riding trails influenced your style?
Thanks for saying that, means a lot. I love riding Dirt Jumps – Floating, it’s the best feeling ever. On Vert you can do the same, just higher. Also, a little bit more precision is needed and you really have to be creative – Not just going back and forth, because that’s not so fun all the time… But yes, dirt jumping has been the biggest influence on my riding.
7) What’s your take on riding vert pad-less?
To me, it’s the feeling of freedom and the added challenge – It’s pushing the limits in a way. Fun!
6) Tell us a bit about your situation with Woodward Camp West?
I have the best relationship with them!
I am really thankful to be able to ride there, all year long – I couldn’t be living in a better place! Being able to ride in the worlds best training facility, is just mind blowing. Having the chance of sharing what I’ve learnt, with thousands of kids and pro riders every year is amazing.
Would just like to thank: Gary R, Debbie W, Ron K.
www.campwoodwardwest.com
7) When considering your vert contest performances, how important are Woodward’s “Resi” facilities, to your riding?
Personally, I think it definitely helps develop your confidence, when devising the big tricks. And, I have tricks that only get done at contests or at home, on the Resi-ramps – I’m used to it! Vert riding could get gnarly, that’s why I treat it with “RESPECT, SNAP”. Being healthy is a big part of the contest scene – The Resi-ramps definitely reduces the risk of getting broke off.
8) How important is concrete to you? – Does it have a future in the art of ascension?
Not too sure… Riding a 14-foot concrete bowl is no joke! At a skatepark it’s amazing – Smooth, fast with low maintenance costs. For big quarter-pipes it’s scary, but sometimes it’s just in the mind.
9) How many contests do you have planned for 2011? And, is the “Bike Hall Contest” on the list?
So far I’m planning about seven – But, there are always more dates as the year moves on! The Bike Hall Contest’s a park contest, so not on my list, as of yet… But I would love to go, I’ve heard great things about it.
10) Tell us about what happened at “The Extreme Playground” (Berlin) event last year?
Dude, it was super-fun. It sucked that I lost my phone, five minutes before dropping in. Besides loosing my phone, I had a lot of fun!
I got second in the event, wasn’t expecting it, I had crashed doing a flair-whip – Sucked, so bad! And what also sucked, was that due to the bad weather, half of the riders lost their bike, clothes and bags on the way in! Some got their things back, just in time – Others had to wait until a few weeks later! This meant some of the competitors were without their bikes. They had to compete on borrowed bikes… Can you believe that? It was mental, despite this, amazing riding was to be seen!
11) You’re also a show rider – What’s your take on riding shows? And is it something you’ve always done?
I’m not too into it – It’s fun when my contest schedule mellows out, but in general, I only do a few every year.
12) But it’s not all about the commercial events – Tell us about the “Revolucion BMX Christian Ministry”…
When I turned my life to Christ, everything changed. My best friend started the process, with the idea of creating a ministry in Chile, where we would be doing classes every Sunday at the skatepark for free. But what’s good about teaching people how to ride a bike, if the souls and hearts are empty…
… A better combination is to mix the words of God and BMX – That’s why we created “Revolucion BMX” – Where we have fun riding our bikes and share the word of God. Christ changed my life – I would be selfish not to share the experience – I’m sure he can change anyone’s life.
13) Has religion always had a presence in your personal life? And how’s it coursed your life?
I used to have my own beliefs – I was deeply in to partying, alcohol, etc. I didn’t care about the world at all, not even myself or others. No respect for anything in life…
… Until I found a Christian Church, focused on the Bible, God and his only son, Christ. The huge turning point was when I realized that everything that the pastor said was good advice, for improving my own life. Everything was positive, with good motivation and good teachings – Everything he taught was from the book. All the church-goers were friendly and happy – I was like; “WHAT??? I want some of this in my life!!!”.
My first thought, was; “Why wouldn’t I want to add something positive to my life?”. Sure enough, I followed the preachers advice, and from that point, I haven’t stopped learning about God’s love, grace, mercy and the plan that he has for each one of us. If it wasn’t for how God changed my life, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
14) Cars also play a big part in your life – Tell us about your cars? And your conversions?
My dad used to race cars, so I grew up in the car scene – I love engines.
I currently have an “Evo-X”, the one I take to the track as a hobby. I recently did my first “Red Line Time Attack”. It was amazing; I have a couple of sponsors that help me make it a reality – Vivid Racing (car performance parts), General Tires (amazing racing & street tires for the car), Spin Imaging (High quality vinyl-protection and graphic/wraps for the car).
My friend Bucky Lasek has been getting me in to the world of car racing big time! It’s just a different kind of adrenalin, technique and precision, it is so much fun. That’s why I’ve been getting more serious, every year.
15) You’re also an avid photographer – What interests you about photography? And, how long have you been pursuing this hobby?
I started in 2003. Some riding friends got me really into it! What really got my attention, is the ability to see the world from so many different perspectives – All through that little camera. Also, we can capture a fraction of our life’s, and it can be interpreted the way that you want it to be interpreted… There is such a wide range of expressions through it. Definitely another way to express, and share your way of seeing things. It helps me appreciate things, time, moments and more.
16) What photography equipment do you use?
Now I have a “Canon 5D Mark II”, a couple of pocket wizards and vivitar & canon flashes.
17) That just about wraps it up – Do you have any thing else to say??
First of all, thanks a lot for your time and patience – It’s been fun answering these questions…
… Whoever reads this; “just turn your computer of, go out, ride your bike, or do something that’s fun, enjoy life wile you can”.
Thanks again to my sponsors, they’re sick!
Thanks for your time Mr Zurita… – VS
