The Bay Bmx had the opportunity to interview Solid's Zac Costa. I am honored to interview him.So thanks to Zac for taking time out of his busy schedule to do this Q&A.
Zac is originally from the North Bay area city of Santa Rosa,Ca. Ever since he picked up a bike he quickly made a name for himself. Zac is known for his burly style of street riding, But is also no stranger to riding skateparks and even trails.
Zac is a grind wizard, He easily grinds as good switch as regular.His go big or go home style is astonishing to watch. I have to say Zac's Cuttin It Deep part is legendary.He also has an appearance in Primo's Nice Try and the Animal Cuts video. Costa's riding earned him flow from S&M bikes in the early 2000's,But has now been on Solid for quite some time. Zac also gets help from Revenge,Tip Plus,Franchise clothing,Shitluck, As well as Animal.
Costa is absolutely not your average bmx'er. He also has a devout dedication to his education and profession as a Scientist. Zac graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Evolution and Ecology from UC Davis. He then ventured to the east coast to attend the Virginia Commonwealth University to study Biology, Where he became a grad student.
Zac's education and love for science brought him to Panama to study the wildlife and ecosystem. He also researches with fellow scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research institute in Panama. Zac even teaches an introductory biology lab course when he has time from his other ventures.
With all of Zac's travels,Education and work, His bike has made the journey with him. Whenever Zac has the opportunity he shreds on his bike, Hitting spots all over the East Coast,West Coast, And abroad. To say his life is interesting would be an understatement. So without further introduction here is what Zac had to say when i presented his questions.
#1. What's your Name, Age, And where do you currently reside?
Zacharia James Costa, 26 years old residing in Richmond, VA
#2. Do you have any hook ups?Also What is your current bike set up?
Just got some stuff in the mail, I'm setting up a new Solid 21" King Cobra, Solid stem, Solid bars, Solid cranks, Skavenger forks, Primo back wheel, The rest is Animal and Skavenger parts. I get shirts from Franchise, Tip gives me a little here and there too.
#3.Tell us a little how you got into riding and what kind of riding do you enjoy most?
I like riding street in foreign countries the most, But I got into it riding jumping curbs in my neighborhood, I started building some little jumps and just never stopped. I lived near the Santa Rosa skatepark so that helped a lot and we had some trails back in the day.
#4.Do you have any favorite spots?Also any recent memories of spots you enjoyed?
Panama City parking garage spot is one I always want to go back to. Three stories of curved downhill tranny like 5 ft, pretty steep, grindable, fucking awesome. Just rode a pool in Jersey that was awesome, o.g. spot is the Prom King pool outside of Santa Rosa shit is amazing, I would do almost anything to ride that again. China banks in s.f. is a o.g. spot I'll never get tired of
#5 If you could change anything about bmx what would it be and why?
It seems like everyone is on some bitch shit one way or another, I don't know keep it real and just ride, who gives a fuck what anybody else is doing.
#6. Who inspired your style of riding and who did you look up to coming up in the game?
My style of riding...I don't know as a youngster I looked up to Kurtis Elwell and Jeremy McCart they were the older guys that killed it in my area. Pro wise I liked Dave Young, Jason Enns and Troy McMurray, Ralph Sinisi's props bio got me thinking about street differently as well.
#7.How do you feel about the Nor-Cal bmx scene?
Nor-Cal has its ups and downs, I don't know I haven't spent too much time out there in the past 3 years or so... I was in S.F. in July keepin it lit, clocktower life, Santa Rosa had a jam at the skatepark huge turn out of my old skateboard and bike riding friends, shit north 5s and methaluma were even in the house. Its dope there's the o.g.'s still lurking around and the new blood coming up, that shit will never change.
#8.How do you like riding on the east coast and abroad?
East Coast, NY, NJ nothing really compares to it, so much to ride and do. Richmond you sometimes have to work for spots its cool though. Abroad is the best because every block is brand new and you never know what your going to find. Plus most of the countries I've been too chances are no one has ridden or even thought of doing some of the stunts on the weird obstacles I've come across
#9.What is it like Juggling school,Work,Traveling and riding?
School and research has been my work so in that sense its not too bad. My two trips to panama were for work so I can't complain about that. Riding is what it is, if I feel like doing it I'll make time for it. Motivation can make a lot of things happen
#10.Would you like to give any shout outs?
Huff, Jase and the rest of Solid. Animal for helping me out, Barney at Tip, Sean Ryan and Franchise for putting me on, Bunnyhop bike shop in Richmond, VA, Kyle-Emery Peck for shooting photos and holding down S.F. all the homies on the east coast, West coast, Panama and everywhere else, Keep it lit
Here is Zac's infamous part in Marco Svizzero's 2007 video "Cuttin It Deep,As well as a recent 2011 edit Zac cooked up for Solid. I Also got to give a big shout out to Kyle Emery-Peck for his outstanding quality photos of Zac.
Check out Kyle's website to see his travels and more photography at http://fullframecollective.com/
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