The “Story of Estonia Skateboarding” Documentary.

Johannes Teder during the filming of the documentary in June 2024.

From Soviet slalom ghosts to DIY park prophets — Estonia’s skate story finally gets its reel rolling. Directors Taavi Arus and Ivar Murd dig deep into the plywood past, unearthing a saga that starts in the gray glow of the ’70s and rips straight through to the raw, reckless energy of today.

This isn’t some sleepy nostalgia trip — it’s a full-throttle excavation of Estonian skateboarding’s crooked spine. The film hit the big dark room (yeah, the chambre obscure where dreams flicker in 24 frames per second) before finding its way online, now beaming straight from the Simple Session YouTube channel into your unblinking eyeballs.

Even the big dogs took notice — Thrasher Magazine and Transworld Skateboarding tipped their hats to the madness.

“Coming out of one of our favorite countries in Eastern Europe, and home of the venerated Simple Session contest, check out this documentary on Estonian skateboarding. Tap into the journey of skateboarding behind the Iron Curtain — from the 1970s and ’80s Soviet-era slalom days through the raw DIY underground of the ’90s and 2000s, all the way to the thriving, tight-knit scene Estonia has today. And if you’ve got the means to make it out for a Simple Session, or any type of visit, we can’t recommend it enough! English subtitles available, obviously.”
— Blair Alley, Transworld Skateboarding.

You’ll spot our crew rolling through it too — Johannes Teder flying the flag, Maik Grüner, Nightwood’s own graphics wizard and one of the ’90s pioneers who sold his soul to the four-wheeled wooden devil, and our beloved brother-in-arms Lauri Täht, the lensman who’s been freezing Estonian skate mythology one frame at a time.

Maik Grüner.

The documenteurs went full archaeologist mode — digging up Soviet-era reels that reek of dust, sweat, and rebellion. If you missed it in the darkened temple of cinema, don’t just sit there staring at your grip tape — slam the link, hit play, and ride through Estonia’s skate history like it owes you lunch money.