The Skateistan Story - By Tati Kolina

In  2014, I accidentally stumbled onto Skateistan: Four Wheels and a Board in Kabul documentary and it changed my life. The narrative begins in 2009, when Australians Oliver Percovich and Sharna Nolan brought a couple of old boards to an empty city fountain in Kabul, Afganistan. The film tells Skateistan’s story and how a group of skaters bridge ethnic-, religious and socio-economic barriers to bring hope to the children of a war-torn country – with the help of four wheels and a board. 

Afghan Girls Skateboarding

As I watched the documentary, I realized that skateboarding can be used anywhere as a medium for breaking the barriers and building communities. I decided to to start our own local organization for girls called Skate Girls Tribe  (SGT). 

Skate Girls Tribe at Go Skateboarding Day 2014 in Washington DC

SGT is an informal not-for-profit organization which supports a network of female athletes, artists, and influencers in action sports culture. SGT provides girls with an open environment for skateboarding and a community as a forum for sharing social and personal issues that they face; what it’s like being girls in the skating community to challenges they may face in school and at home.

Skateboarding at Roll Skate Shop in Olney, MD

I also wanted to show support for Skateistan and organized a series of fundraisers and film screenings of Skateistan: Four Wheels and a Board in Kabul documentary in the Washington Metropolitan area.

Mini cruisers painted by DC artists at silent auction in Tropicalia, DC

First fundraiser and film screening took place at Roll Skate Shop in Olney, MD. It did not bring very many people but we enjoyed watching the film, meeting new people, and skating at an old warehouse surrounded by amazing works of local artists including murals by Alex Merritt. 

Art work by Alex Merritt at silent auction in Tropicalia, DC

Second fundraiser was at Tropicalia in Washington DC. Several local artists donated their art and time and we had a great turn out. We watched the documentary, had Q&A session about Skateistan which was followed by live music, dancing, and silent auction. 

Watching Skateistan at Tropicalia, DC

We were able to raise $945 which was donated to Skateistan.

Bryan Ridgeway, Tati Kolina, Patti McGee, Di Dootson Rose, Darren Harper at Old City Farm, Washington DC 

Final film screening took place at Old City Farm in Washington DC. We had surprise visitors including Skateistan's Global Skateboarding Adviser, Bryan Ridgeway, and action sports female legends Patti McGee and Di Dootson Rose who later became my mentor.

Tati Kolina and Bryan Ridgeway

Bryan Ridgeway presented me with a signed copy of Skateistan: The Tale of Skateboarding in Afghanistan book. It was one of the most memorable days in my life.

Thank you letter from Oliver Petrovitch

Several months later I got a letter from Oliver Petrovitch, the founder and executive director of Skateistan, thanking us for the donation.

Finding A Line: Skateboarding, Music, and Media at the Kennedy Center hosted by sPACYcLOUd and Skate Girls Tribe

Since 2014, Skate Girls Tribe participated at many local skateboarding events and organized our own surf and snowboard camps for girls. In 2015 SGT was honored to host a day at Finding a Line: Skateboarding, Music, and Media festival at The Kennedy Center dedicated to female skateboarders. Several hundreds female shredders from all over USA made it to our event and we made it into the history of skateboarding.

Female leaders from Afghanistan visited Skate Girls Tribe in Rockville, MD

In 2016, we we were visited by a group of female leaders from Afghanistan. We greeted our guests at Rockville skatepark in Maryland. We skateboarded, made Peace bracelets for each other, sang Beatles songs, and embraced each other's energies. We had language barriers but, at the end of the day, words were not necessary. We spoke with our hearts.

Exchanging Peace bracelets with our friends from Afghanistan 

As Skate Girls Tribe grows, we continue providing female shredders with new opportunities in our area. On March 26, we are having girls only skateboarding session at Bethesda Boards in Maryland. We will have a mini skateboarding jam and watch Skateistan: Four Wheels and a Board in Kabul. In July, we are organizing Skate Girls Tribe annual surf camp at Cape May, New Jersey. We are also planning wearable technology classes for our young female engineers and glass blowing classes for these with artistic inclinations. There is nothing in the world that girls can't do and we are here to help make it happen.

And it all started with four wheels and a board. Thanks Skateistan!

Thank you to everyone who helped us along the way:

Oliver Percovich
Sharna Nolan
Skateistan
Aleksey Nazarov
Alex Merritt
Jim Thomson & Tropicalia
Evvie, Roll Skate Shop
Di Dootson Rose
Patti McGee
Bryan Ridgeway
Yoshi Tanenbaum
Claudia Olivos & OlivosARTstudio.com
Amy Lauriano
Ekaterina Nekrasova
Angelina Lauriano
Old City Farm 
Kia Green
Darren Harper

From Paris With Love from sPACYcLOUd Team Rider Coco! - by Coco

Helper Dodo - photo by Corinne Séguin

It was August perfect time to have an outdoor project with little disturbance. Most of Parisians are out of town for their summer vacation. August is kind of the best to be in Paris for that reason, empty of people and a lot less cars.

Hydrane & Coco - photo by Grambe

My friend Hydrane Lo and I knew each other from common friends in the skateboard community. We’ve connected back when I lived downtown Paris prior coming to NY. We both are into art: I’m a graphic designer, she’s an architect. We both create art on our spare time. Talking we found out we both have been wanting to paint that Jemmapes Skatepark downtown Paris 10.

Jemmapes skatepark before face lift - photo by Corinne Séguin

Back in NY I got into what I didn’t know yet, a very serious injury. I wanted to enjoy street skating sessions prior coming back to my country but it was very painful. At home doctors told me to take a two years off from skateboarding for the recovery. I admit I have teared many times. My last skateboard session was in May at my friends skatepark, La Halle du Val d’Orge, in the suburbs of Paris. They had their annual remodeling for the World Cup Contest called Far N’High. I volunteered for the contest as a judge and also created art for a booth they allowed me. I was stoked about that redesign I couldn’t help it I tried to skate one more time but the pain in my arm was unbearable.

Hydrane preparing the wall - photo by Corinne Séguin

All that to say I needed something as an escape and luckily I have art. I have motivated my friend who was on vacation for a week that it was now or never. We parted to get the supplies and met up at night to start the process of giving a painted face lift to the skatepark.

Hydrane & Nancy B. painting - photo by Corinne Séguin

It was such a great experience. We both went from paper straight to wall/urban space size. I usually paint on used skateboards, used glass bottles, small canvas or paper and she usually works on paper of various but still small size. 

Coco painting - photo by Hydrane

People would all of the sudden stop, compliment us and/or take photos. They were actually paying attention for once.

Hydrane & Coco work done - photo by Grambe

The skatepark became a piece of art not just a concrete spot full of tags. The guys from the basket ball court next door would bring us ice-creams and water. 

Nassaire board slide - photo by Corinne Séguin

The guys at the skatepark had to bare with us as they couldn’t skate. They stayed patient for the most time and respected what we were creating. When we finished they all went crazy like they had a new skatepark.

Stéphane Mercurio, French woman film director interviewed my friend and I. The skatepark is by a water canal called Canal Saint Martin. She was doing a documentation about what’s going on along the canal Saint Martin in August called “Les Parisiens d’août” (August Parisian). She edited 2 minutes short movies. She filmed the skatepark and others people that day too.

Big Thank You ("Merci") to our helpers - photo by Corinne Séguin

We thanks all the people who came around helping: Grambe, Nancy B., Paulo, Dodo, Cuban, Khalid Chhiba and the basket family.

Spacycloud at Jemmapes skatepark - photo by Corinne Séguin

That is all for now.

Much love.

sPACYcLOUd street team rider Coco from Paris.

You can find Coco at:

www.corinneseguinart.com

 www.co2designs.com 

Tumblr @corinneseguinIG 

IG @corinneseguinart

You can find Hydrane Lo at:

http://hydrane.fr/

IG @hydrane 

sPACYcLOUd is Coming to Bethesda Boards!

Life does not get better than this! sPACYcLOUd products will be carried by the coolest skateboard shop on East Coast, Bethesda Boards!

Make sure to stop by this joint and show your love. In addition to dope products, they have great vibe and care about community.

They have tons of amazing art created by local artists. 

Oh yeah!!! They also have the coolest and friendliest dog named Sierra!

We are very honored to be part of their family.

Peace!

Stickers Leggings Are Finally Here!

Why should you buy sPACYcLOUd leggings?

1. It is made in USA. We believe in supporting the local economy.
2. 20% of sales proceeds go toward camps and events we organize forSkate Girls Tribe which promotes girls' confidence and assertiveness, individuality and creativity, strength and dignity, all gathered together with a love for skateboarding and other action sports.
3. It celebrates and showcases local artists, organizations, and companies.
4. It is cool and unique!

Visit our store at www.spacycloud.com

sPACYcLOUd Has Landed at Bethesda Vapor Company!

sPACYcLOUd is grateful and honored to be one of a very special group of brands offered at the Bethesda Vapor Company! 

Bethesda Vapor Company (BVC) is owned and operated by three partners, Rod, Reza, and Jesse. They grew up in Maryland and attended same school, Springbrook high.  BVC is a perfect reflection of their friendship, hard work, and dedication. It is the spot to relax, play video games, and try BVC's extensive assortment of oils, vapors, and other products including sPACYcLOUd. 

BVC is about high quality, excellent customer service, and good vibes. We love their chic minimalist interior, aesthetics, and attention to detail.  BVC is definitely one of our favorite spots in DMV! 

Bean is looking forward meet you!

Thank you BVC for letting us to be part of your family.

~Peace