See a video from Kazakhstan's only skate shop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j4ex9atztoi

Similar to other postsovyetic countries, Kazakhstan can be compared with a white rabbit in the snow. Hidden in sight. It is hidden between Russia, China and a few smaller -artists and is the ninth largest country in the world.

Nevertheless, there is a unique skate shop within its limits. It is called Wallride.

The shop in Kazakhstan's capital Almaty serves as a lonely skate lighthouse in the country. She waves his lamp to join the growing culture. And although this is not without challenges, the shop was successful.

Your latest video, Dirty peopleshows the progress that Wallride made in video production and in the level of skateboarding. While at first glance it felt incredibly similar to the local publications, it is attributed by a foreign city with invisible areas and a number of skateboarders that are unknown to us.

We dream of strongly empty marble plazas and could not imagine anything other than bring this video. And after looking at you, take a look at the short questions and answers with the shopkeeper and filmmaker Alexey Yefimchenko.

Questions and answers with the shopkeeper and filmmaker Alexey Yefimchenko

What was the biggest challenge of putting Wallride into operation in Kazakhstan?
The biggest challenge is that we are the only thing in the whole country. But we love what we do, so we just decided to do it! We deal with difficulties every day, like people who ask themselves whether we rent ice shoers, but we love it, skate video premieres, funny skate competitions and more to organize -things that don't do anyone else here. Our business was even robbed once: they took all of our things, ate our bananas and drank our apple juice!

How much does a skateboard cost?
The boards in our shop cost between 60 and 90 US dollars. Our brand costs 60 US dollars because we produce it in Spain. A complete costs around $ 200/250 US dollars. Since we are very far away, we have to pay very expensive shipping.

Why is the video called “dirty people”?
We flew to Istanbul to get a tour, and when we skate in a high-end district, two old aggressive guys came to us and called us “dirty people!” We thanked them for the name and went.

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but why end so many of your surnames in “OV”?
Kazakhstan is a really multinational country, and our team is incredibly diverse – we have Kasachs, Russians, Ukrainians, Tajiks, Uigures and Germans. Since we all come from the former USSR, our surnames have been changed to a Slavic style.

How are you in Kazakhstan to grow skateboarding?
We organize a variety of events, including skate competitions and video premieres. We also support young skaters by making boards and other things available to you in a skateable condition. And of course we motivate others by filming skate videos.

I am amazed at how empty many of the places look when you skate them. Where are all people?
Many of the empty places they saw are in our capital Astana, where we toured last year. Astana is a relatively new city that was built very quickly, so it has many places, squares and stains, but people don't usually hang out there. Most people go to Astana for the work of the government. If you skate there on weekdays, it feels like you are the only one nearby – like everyone else, except you.

How do people react to skateboarding in Kazakhstan?
It depends on. Sometimes people are really nice and inviting and sometimes they are super aggressive because they have the feeling that we affect their lives – but I think they just can't make a kick. For the most part, the bulls really support. Even if someone calls it, they are scolded the caller and says: “Age, why did you call us? You are just skating and have a good time. “

Are there many stray cats in Kazakhstan?
Hahaha, that's a funny question! There are many cats in Kazakhstan, and people generally love them. We definitely don't eat them.

How would you explain Kazakhstan's nightlife?
The nightlife in Kazakhstan is not so different than in Europe or the USA. There are many party goers and loose people who have fun. It's nothing like what you see in the Borat Film.

I wanted to ask. How did that Borat Film affected Kazakhstan?
It is just a silly film that has nothing to do with Kazakhstan. Our people are really angry about it because it doesn't represent who we are or our reality. But it drew attention to many people around the world that our country exists.

Who originally came from skateboarding?
Skateboarding started in Kazakhstan in the early 2000s. At that time, some families from the USA came to work here and brought their children, who in turn brought Skateboard things with them that could not be found in Kazakhstan – brands such as Globe, around, Zero and Toy Machine. They all looked at them as if they were video game characters.

Now Almaty has around 1,000 skaters, a skate shop, concrete places and many cool spots, but it was a completely different story back then.

Who is the Tony Hawk of Kazakhstan?
There is no such. But people know the game very well and often ask: “Can you make a trick like Tony Hawk?”

Are there local skate starks?
Unfortunately we are the only skateboard brand in Kazakhstan – there is no one. We run a skate shop, produce decks and also make clothes.

Do you have advice for someone who is trying to start a scene/shopping in a new place?
Money is not the main thing in this business, it's all about passion and true love for skateboarding. You will meet many difficulties on the way, but if you have a passion for it, you will definitely be successful.

Interview and intro from: Ben Komins
Photos by: Victor Magdeyev and Arnay Ormash
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