Name: Susana Garcés
Instagram: @suka_wip
Current Age: 13 forever
Hometown: Quito, Ecuador
Sponsors: Working every day and the Universe
How did you get into BMX? This could be a long one, so making a summary ja ja… I am a hyperactive human and I used to be a tennis player since I was a little kid. Used sports as an outlet, and got addicted to it. Bikes were always a part of my life. Living in the Andes, a MTB is almost a must. I have a lot of friends who ride DH bikes, and would go on trips with them. After that, I arrived at a dirt jumping spot – called 2026. Everything else is history (ja ja). I learned to dig and jump on a XC bike. I built a dirt jumper first, 26 inch. Started enjoying freestyle and it became my addiction. Started riding in skateparks and getting interested on the BMX. Made a deal with a store and got my first complete BMX. The BMX absorbed all the air! Started riding it and sold the rest of my bikes. Travelled alone with it, and it became my one true love.
What languages do you speak? Spanish and English as a second language.
Your top three parks?
- In Ecuador – León Dormido (my spot)
- Parque de la Carolina
- Rumibike and Chiche trails.
- In the US – Catty Woods, Frisco trails, FDR and the Wheelmill Woods Room.
Top three songs on your playlist? Music varies a lot in my life, music comes and goes and then comes back !! But the following songs are always in my riding playlist:
- Can you kick it by A tribe called Quest
- Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths
Three people who inspire you and why?
- Nina Buitrago – Greatest inspiration in girls’ BMX, motivates me every day. She’s so humble and talented. She’s an awesome human on and off the bike. Best road trip friend, looking forward to the next one!
- Cami Harambour – I Love Cami, she is fearless! Happy to call her a friend. Love her control and decision on a bike. The real “eye of the tiger”. She is a very artistic, smart person with great family values.
- Mike Aitken – I ride switch footed, and would always get comments on it. I would get very self-aware and feel I was doing everything the wrong way. A friend showed me Mikey’s videos and things were never the same for me. This is freestyle, do whatever feels right! Glad we got to meet and talk like real humans.
What is a trend in BMX you want to stop seeing? Honestly, this one is hard to answer without getting a lot of controversy. I feel like women’s BMX has gone a long way, and that finally, women everywhere have been levelling out the playing field without gender being a concern. Getting noticed because of riding skills and not because we are ‘girls’ riding … unicorns. I definitely don’t like that girls want to get attention on social media by mixing sexuality and BMX. It’s like all the work done on the bike is thrown over-board by attracting the wrong kind of “likes”.
What do you do when you’re not riding? I dig as therapy 🙂 It’s a free gym. Also ride other bikes (jaja), I own an XC and a DH bike. Travelling is definitely the best thing to do with or without a bike. Also, I play the trumpet, but with work and bikes, I always forget about it. Trying to make it a habit again. Love to hang out with friends and talk shit while drinking beer.
Favourite person to ride or train with? Nina Burrito and Dani Lightningbolt for sure!
Favourite shoes to ride in? Etnies
Best advice given to you? Where your eyes go, your bike follows.
Your biggest fear? I am afraid of heights.
Your proudest accomplishment? Building my own spot in the mountains with Jose, trails in the mountains. So much work, but so satisfying to ride something you imagined.
Your worst habit? I am a little controlling, I may look like I don’t give a crap but I plan things out. Wake up very early every day and work before going out riding bikes.
If you could hire someone to help you in some aspect of your life, what would it be? This is a good one. In the house, I would hire someone to fold clothes!! I f$%&@ hate folding clothes, I don’t mind washing and putting them away. Also, would love to hire someone that would always help me dig! (Send resumes jaja)
What is a memorable experience you had that couldn’t have happened without BMX? Meet so many awesome people, and travel around the world with family everywhere. BMX is the same everywhere. When going to a new spot, I love the feeling when nobody knows me and the only thing they can know is I ride BMX. Levels out everything and makes everyone the same for a little bit.
Your top three future goals you want to achieve?
- I want to 360 on dirt, I started doing it a couple of years ago – crashed a lot jaja I can do it on a fly-out but can’t find the perfect jump to unlock it again. Started building a jump but haven’t finished. So need to get to it again.
- Learn barspins, I can only do chicken bars.
- Ride at my spot “Leon Dormido” more and film something with the beautiful scenery.
