When this video was sent over, from Russia with love, from our friend Kirill Korobkov, it was an instant mind-blower. The skater is Ilya Batrakov, and he's been filming this video, a lot of it by himself, for the last three Russian winters near the Iskona River. We've never seen anything like this (granted, what Simon Isaksson gets up to in his hometown of Lulea, Sweden deserves an honorable mention), Ilya is falling through lake ice, felling trees to create pole jams and straight up skating ledges made of ice—with his dogs in tow, too! Of course we had tons of questions, so below is a description of the video from Kirill and Ilya and a Q&A email correspondence we set up. Enjoy!
Film photos were shot by Kirill, digital photos were shot by Ilya himself.
This is a Morok video project by Ilya Batrakov x Absurd Skateboards directed by Barabaka.
Guest tricks by Gosha Konyshev and Dilip Kharel.
Follow these guys on Instagram: Ilya (the main skater): @flyhalla, Barabaka (the person behind the video): @barabakaa, Absurd Skateboards (the brand behind the project): @absurdskateboards, Kirill Korobkov (the producer): @kirill_korobkov
Guest tricks by Gosha Konyshev (@goshakonyshev) and Dilip Kharel (@_dilip).
"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 got frozen only once. The ecosystem 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 overgrown and lifeless rivulet. In summer people stop swimming in the river. In winter fishermen cannot go onto the ice. The iconic river people named the archaeological site after is disappearing."—Iliya Batrakov
Absurd? Absolutely. Below is our Q&A—we had so many questions the first time we watched it!
Where exactly did you film this?
Whole video was filmed on the frozen waters of the Iskona River and two swamps around it. This area is called Moscow Region. It's around two hours away from Moscow. The main spot wasn't far from my countryside house. Some other spots required car rides, others winter hikes and even ski trips.
What breed of dog is that?
The white dog was the West Siberian Husky. The other two dogs were mixes of different breeds. Their mother dog came out of the forest in winter when it was super cold. She was very exhausted. We let her in. Soon she gave birth to seven puppies in our barn. Five of them got adopted and the remaining two stayed with us. They grew up and took part in this video.
How long can you and the dog stay out in the cold before it’s too much or too dangerous?
Actually these types of dogs can stay outside 24/7. It's essential for them to be fed and have hay in a dog house. They like winters better than summers. As for me, it depends on the temperature. Sometimes I stayed outside the whole day, but cold weather makes you feel tired and energy-less quicker than normal. The absolute record I experienced during the filming missions was -32 Celsius (-25,6 Fahrenheit). There is a clip in the video I filmed that day.
Are you familiar with the snow skating that Simon Isaksson does in Sweden?
Yes, I know Simon's skateboarding. He is a legend for me! I got to know him when we were two years deep into our project (all together it took us three years). Our director Barabaka sent me Simon's footage.
Did you ever fall through a frozen lake while filming?
Yes, it actually happened to me many times. I learned my lessons. Nowadays I always have extra clothes in a dry place in my gear. If it happens again, I will change my clothes immediately. The first time it happened while it was -30 Celsius (-22 Fahrenheit). I looked for new spots and went very far up the frozen stream of the river. I was two hours away from my place. I felt relaxed and suddenly I ended up in the water up to my chest. My body pushed me out of the water automatically. I started running towards home. Soon I understood that there was no way I could run that far being that wet. I got scared at that point. I started looking for birch bark to light them on fire. Luckily I found a fallen birch tree and managed to start a fire. It was good that my hands were dry and I had a habit of organizing a secret dry spot for matches. After that incident I always bring extra clothes with me. The second time it happened around the beginning of winter. I ended up on the river and didn't check the ice properly. I started trying a trick that required some speed. I tried to get speed with my skateboard and suddenly felt like it got fully stuck. I ended up in the air. The board started to go down under the water. While I was on my way down to smack the ice I thought of the new skateboard I had prepared for the new winter season. I even found a moment to regret losing the new board because under the ice there was strong water-stream that would take it away. Right after I finally hit the ice, I jumped up and started breaking the ice around to go into the water on purpose so I could get the board back. The skateboard floated down the stream but surprisingly I was able to find it in a few minutes. By that moment I didn't believe I would have my board again.
What are the tools and tips you’d give for people trying to skate in the snow?
I recommend not hurrying up. Try to feel the place, the spot and weather conditions. Try to understand the way your body and board work when it's cold and slippery. Get used to the temperature and don't skip exercises before you start skating.
What kind of set up are you riding?
When I skate wintertime I like my deck to be wide. Instead of normal griptape I use a rubber mat like what people put in front of doors. Sometimes I use griptape that comes with snowskates. I skate the softest wheels I can find. I also bring a bucket of ash or gypsum. Those things can be helpful when better grip is needed.
What clothes and shoes do you wear?
The most important thing to skate when it's extremely cold is to have many layers on you. I try to put on everything I have. As for the shoes, I tried different types. The best ones I found are high shoes with soft soles.
Thank you Ilya, this is truly one of the most mind-blowing interviews I've ever conducted.
Kirill Korobkov
