Day in the life of Coco Zurita
At home with Coco Zurita
Heading into X Games Austin 2015, Chilean BMX Vert invite Coco Zurita is spending his time at his adopted home (Wodward West Camp in California) warming up for X Games Austin. You might think Zurita, 31, spends his time concentrating on the vert ramp, but that's not the case at all. With a wide variety of ramps to choose from at Woodward West, Zurita is practicing his own version of cross-training. Here, XGames.com spends the day with Zurita.
Heading into X Games Austin 2015, Chilean BMX Vert invite Coco Zurita is spending his time at his adopted home (Wodward West Camp in California) warming up for X Games Austin. You might think Zurita, 31, spends his time concentrating on the vert ramp, but that's not the case at all. With a wide variety of ramps to choose from at Woodward West, Zurita is practicing his own version of cross-training. Here, XGames.com spends the day with Zurita.
Inside Coco's living space
Zurita recently got back into painting and drawing in his downtime in between riding. Before having this setup, his last painting took four years to finish.
Zurita recently got back into painting and drawing in his downtime in between riding. Before having this setup, his last painting took four years to finish.
Coco's awards
Although Chile is Zurita's permanent home, he often returns to Woodward West during the regular season to ride, train and ready himself for the next competition. For that reason, his awards and trophies dot the landscape in his living space.
Although Chile is Zurita's permanent home, he often returns to Woodward West during the regular season to ride, train and ready himself for the next competition. For that reason, his awards and trophies dot the landscape in his living space.
The fixed ride
When not riding BMX or racing cars, Zurita will put in some miles on one of his fixed gears. The hills around Woodward West in Stallion Springs, California are very steep, so this brand of pedaling is beneficial to Zurita's vert pump.
When not riding BMX or racing cars, Zurita will put in some miles on one of his fixed gears. The hills around Woodward West in Stallion Springs, California are very steep, so this brand of pedaling is beneficial to Zurita's vert pump.
Scheduling
"Plan it, do it," writes Zurita on his scheduling white board. Look closer and you can see that Zurita has his entire schedule of events to attend planned for the remainder of the year.
"Plan it, do it," writes Zurita on his scheduling white board. Look closer and you can see that Zurita has his entire schedule of events to attend planned for the remainder of the year.
Nutrition needs
There once was a time when BMX pros drank soda and ate potato chips for dinner, but these days, BMX pros tend to take their health seriously. Zurita juices two to three times a day with fresh fruit.
There once was a time when BMX pros drank soda and ate potato chips for dinner, but these days, BMX pros tend to take their health seriously. Zurita juices two to three times a day with fresh fruit.
Tireslide
Zurita's approach to riding mirrors that of BMX legend Ruben Alcantara. He takes a less is more, style is everything approach to park and vert riding, and it shows in everything.
Zurita's approach to riding mirrors that of BMX legend Ruben Alcantara. He takes a less is more, style is everything approach to park and vert riding, and it shows in everything.
Euro table
And maybe there's a little Mike Aitken influence in there too. Here, Zurita one-foots a Euro tabletop over the indoor park course at Woodward West. It's not often that we get to see X Games BMX Vert invites blasting a box jump, but Zurita makes it look great.
And maybe there's a little Mike Aitken influence in there too. Here, Zurita one-foots a Euro tabletop over the indoor park course at Woodward West. It's not often that we get to see X Games BMX Vert invites blasting a box jump, but Zurita makes it look great.
360 style
Zurita has a distinct style of 360, and they are always big, smooth and stylish.
Zurita has a distinct style of 360, and they are always big, smooth and stylish.
Look back and laugh
Zurita blasts a lookback over what he calls "The little rainbow." The obstacle is at least 10-feet tall and he airs at least 7-feet out of it. This is when it's easy to recognize Zurita's experience with vert ramps.
Zurita blasts a lookback over what he calls "The little rainbow." The obstacle is at least 10-feet tall and he airs at least 7-feet out of it. This is when it's easy to recognize Zurita's experience with vert ramps.
Flair view
Zurita's approach to vert riding is unique in the esteemed pro class. Sometimes, he holds on and simply goes for height. And other times, he carves from one side of the ramp to the other side during flairs. Here, he aims for landing mid-flar.
Zurita's approach to vert riding is unique in the esteemed pro class. Sometimes, he holds on and simply goes for height. And other times, he carves from one side of the ramp to the other side during flairs. Here, he aims for landing mid-flar.
Moto air
Here, Zurita keeps all limbs on and pushes the rear end of his bike out during a moto-style whip. He's about 9-feet out of the vert ramp and aiming for a near coping landing upon reentry. Moments like this are when Zurita's vert riding prowess are revealed.
Here, Zurita keeps all limbs on and pushes the rear end of his bike out during a moto-style whip. He's about 9-feet out of the vert ramp and aiming for a near coping landing upon reentry. Moments like this are when Zurita's vert riding prowess are revealed.
Side view
Zurita prefers lazy floating nac-nac airs over the straight leg version, even when it's 10-feet out of the vert ramp.
Zurita prefers lazy floating nac-nac airs over the straight leg version, even when it's 10-feet out of the vert ramp.
Hot coco
One of Zurita's favorite tricks is the tabletop/invert, and he manages to tweak them better than most and with more height than probably anyone.
One of Zurita's favorite tricks is the tabletop/invert, and he manages to tweak them better than most and with more height than probably anyone.
Dive bomb
Zurita possesses one of the best toboggan airs on vert. He has a way of taking simple stylish tricks and adding his own flavor to them, and he'll be doing just that at X Games Austin 2015.
Zurita possesses one of the best toboggan airs on vert. He has a way of taking simple stylish tricks and adding his own flavor to them, and he'll be doing just that at X Games Austin 2015.
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