“Morok,” Skating Frozen Russian Lakes and Skate Spots Made of Ice

A "Morok" video project by Ilya Batrakov x Absurd Skateboards directed by Barabaka.
"Morok is an experimental skate project from Iliya Batrakov that took him three years. Filming took place exclusively during winters on the ice of the Iskona River and around it. Through the seemingly absurd winter skateboarding in extremely harsh weather conditions, Iliya reflects on climate change and ecology. As for skating, surprisingly frozen water can have higher skateability than marble or granite plazas. Depending on the weather and temperature, the same spots can change their shape, height, steepness and even durability. It's very unusual and requires creativity, endurance, frost resistance, as well as a very special approach to tricks."—Kirill Korobkov
"10 years ago around November I could step on the ice of the Iskona River and go any direction without fear of falling through the ice. In the year 2025, the river froze over only once. The ecosystem has changed dramatically over the last decade. In the upper part of the river meat farms were built. Those farms pollute fields by the river. When it is spring time, the pollution flows into the river with snow. It changes the full-flowing river with crayfish and rare species of fish into an overgrown and lifeless rivulet. In summer people stop swimming in the river. In winter fishermen can't go onto the ice. The iconic river people named the archaeological site after is disappearing."—Iliya Batrakov
Guest tricks by Gosha Konyshev and Dilip Kharel.
Follow on Ilya IG: https://www.instagram.com/flyhalla/?hl=en
Kirill: https://www.instagram.com/kirill_korobkov/?hl=en
Barabaka: https://www.instagram.com/barabakaa/?hl=en
Absurd Skateboards: https://www.instagram.com/absurdskateboards/?hl=en
Head to skateboarding.com for our exclusive Q&A with Ilya. https://www.skateboarding.com/news/skating-russias-frozen-lakes-and-skate-spots-made-of-ice-in-morok
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