Where to surf in Russia? Interview with Evgeny Isakov

We met Evgeny at SURFEST 2017. On the night of June 4, the athlete flew to Moscow from his native Kaliningrad to attend the annual event, communicate with people close to him and give a lecture “Surfing as a profession: is it possible?”. We managed to talk to Evgeny about how his sports career started and developed, what are the peculiarities of Russian surfing, and find out what prospects await him in the near future.

Evgeny Isakov

– Evgeny, when and how did you start surfing?
– My story is not quite radically different from the stories of other Russian surfers, but nevertheless I got into the sport by accident. The first time I tried surfing in 2006, it happened in Spain. At that time I was studying in Germany, getting a second degree and accidentally saw the information that in February a student surfing trip to Spain, on the Atlantic coast, was planned. I remember exactly that it was very cold at that time, and I was not so much interested in surfing as in the possibility to go to the country I was learning the language of and to see the ocean, because at that time I had never seen it. During the trip, one thing became clear: surfing got me hooked and still doesn’t let me go.

– How did you reach the international level?
– It was a short process. When I started surfing, Russian surfing was just beginning to emerge. Its natural development was that at first there were some “tweens” where people practiced and had fun. Then it came to the point that it would be good to compete with each other – local competitions appeared. After the Russian Surfing Federation started its activity, it was decided that it was necessary to organize Russian Championships, but at some point it was not enough. We realized that it made sense to go international. One of such opportunities was participation in the world championships held by ISA (International Surfing Association). And here I am for the second year in a row as a member of the national team going to these competitions. And I was in the national team because I showed results at the Russian competitions, it is quite natural in terms of selection.

We have an unambiguous approach: surfing is somewhere far away and not true, with tanned guys under palm trees and girls in bikinis. And when you tell them that here it is, right next to you, a lot of people are not exactly shocked, but at least surprised.

– As for surf travel, how many countries have you traveled to and which ones are the most memorable in terms of surfing?
– On the one hand, I have traveled a lot of countries. But on the other hand, compared to the places I would like to visit, very few. The most memorable were traveling around Russia, strangely enough. Especially extreme trips, for example, in April: I went to the Barents Sea, to Teriberka, to ride on the Arctic Ocean. I can say that this trip was definitely one of the most memorable in terms of the atmosphere of the trip.

In general, memorable trips are always those where there is an opportunity to ride well. I was able to do it one hundred percent during my trip to Indonesia, Maldives and Fiji – these are the places I would like to visit again.

Evgeny Isakov

– How does the surfing atmosphere in these places differ from the one in Russia?
– Surfing in Russia is dominated by harshness anyway. If we talk about surfing in Russia, because of the weather and climate, it already implies a certain masculinity. If you tell a foreigner that you surfed in Russia, he will say: “Wow, wow! That’s what you’re doing, well done!” Although I’m from Kaliningrad, and it’s quite warm there in the current conditions and nothing extreme. Nevertheless, if you go to Kamchatka and in winter… well, you understand (uśmiech).

The fundamental difference is the level of comfort that accompanies your surfing. Surfing infrastructure in the foreign places I mentioned is developed, and no one is surprised by the fact that you come, take a board and go surfing. And when you come to Teriberka and do the same, you can’t help but notice the meaningful looks from the locals.

In general, to skate in Russia requires, I repeat, courage. And it is always a process of breaking stereotypes: we have an unambiguous approach: surfing is somewhere far away and not true, with tanned guys under palm trees and girls in bikinis. And when you tell them that here it is, right next to you, many people are not exactly shocked, but at least surprised. Thanks to the work of the federation and the contribution of specific people who are involved in popularizing surfing, the surf movement in Russia is no longer something incredible.

It was a trend to go somewhere far away, try surfing there, realize that it’s great and fall in love with it.

– When did you move from just surfing to creating your own school and surf camps?
– I have my own school in Kaliningrad. Before that I always worked as a surf instructor at other schools. Initially it was that most of those who started surfing at the same time as me did it abroad. The trend was to go somewhere far away, try surfing there, realize that it’s great, and fall in love with it. But in the last few years the situation has changed: people paid attention to surfing in Russia. It became not that popular, but quite logical. There is no need to go far away when you have the right conditions at your doorstep. Whether they are worse or better is another question.

I was curious. I thought why not take part in the development of surfing as a sport or a way of life in the region where I was born – Kaliningrad. That’s why three years ago I opened a school there and annually hold competitions at the level of the Russian Championship to show Russian athletes that surfing is possible in Kaliningrad. Moreover, it is quite natural and tangible.

Evgeny Isakov

– And this school is gaining momentum? Is it in demand?
– Yes, it is interesting. If we talk about demand, let’s just say that it is not a necessity. But if people are informed that surfing is great and they start looking for places to practice it, then, of course, the opportunity to do it in their neighborhood is interesting. The problem has always been that few people know about this opportunity in principle. That is, when I tell about surfing in Kaliningrad, first of all, it is necessary to explain what kind of sport it is, and secondly, that there is a sea and waves in Kaliningrad. Again we need to break the stereotype. And as soon as people realize that there is surfing in Russia and specifically, for example, in Kaliningrad, and there is a desire to try it, why not do it?

Besides, surfing, you know very well that no matter what happens in life, there will come a moment when you will be in the ocean, catch your wave, and there will be no chance not to realize that you are happy at this moment.

The more everyone talks about this sport in principle, about the possibility of practicing it, the more interest will appear in society and the more people will come to the different schools that are in Russia (in Kaliningrad, in St. Petersburg, in Kamchatka, etc.) and not only.

– Do you think surfing in Russia has great prospects?
– It depends on the context in which it is viewed. As a hobby, yes. It’s clear that each wader praises his own swamp, and I think that surfing is amazing and magnificent. When I talk to someone and talk about my experiences, I try to convey that atmosphere. In this respect, surfing, as a slightly special sport connected with the elements, with the sea and the ocean, has an opportunity to catch the eye just by its uniqueness. The potential for interest in Russian surfing is huge.

On the other hand, if we consider surfing as a professional sport, there may be limitations. I now have to say on behalf of the Russian Surfing Federation that we are trying to develop the potential as much as possible, but I guess there are certain limits. They are connected with the fact that surfing for our country still seems to be a kind of artificial sport. For example, we are all used to the fact that Russian hockey, figure skating, gymnastics are our sports. In this situation, when parents think about where to send their child to train, these are the disciplines that come to their mind. For parents to think of sending their child to professional surfing, it would take generations to change. Maybe we’ll get to the point where surfing will be seen as an ingrained sport. But this is something that needs to be seriously worked on. Also, our natural conditions for such a sport are probably not the most ideal compared to other countries near the ocean.

– And lastly: what is the most attractive thing about surfing for you?
– Actually, to understand the appeal, you just have to try it. It’s hard to explain. This is the case with many phenomena: people say “love” and understand each other perfectly, but everyone has a different feeling. It’s the same with surfing.

In my case, it gives me emotions from the most unpleasant ones: when something doesn’t work out, you lose, or there is no opportunity to ride, to the most amazing ones. And this kind of scope gives me the opportunity to feel life to the fullest. Besides, surfing, you know very well: no matter what happens in life, there will come a moment when you will be in the ocean, catch your wave, and there will be no chance not to realize that you are happy for the moment. For these experiences I am grateful to surfing.