August 2019 was a very memorable month for me for so many reasons, not least Pushing Boarders and meeting the other Globally Stoked panelists. There was a lot of making the strange transition from fandom to friendship, but Leyla was particularly special. As she pummelled her spade into drying concrete and pretended it was her ex, she secured herself as funny as shit in my head. The incredible strength of character and kindness she showed everybody she met, mirrored what I had heard about her work as a volunteer with Concrete Jungle Foundation back home. Over the months that have passed since, we’ve kept in touch regularly. Getting a clearer understanding of the shit she’s had to put up with in Peru has made me respect her even more. I’m stoked I know her and I’m looking forward to whenever we meet again. Hasta pronto y dame más gasolina.
Interview by Will Ascott
Published in January 2020
Leyla! How are you? Who are you? And what’s cracking in your world?
Hey Will, I’m fine, all’s quiet on this side of the hemisphere. I’m a skater, have been for about 12 years, but I’m a psychologist by profession. I’ve lived in Lima for nine months, but I was born in Trujillo. I came out here to find new job opportunities and to skate, since Lima has more skateparks. Today, I’m in the Peruvian Olympic skate team pre-selection and looking for work. But it’s difficult…
As a skater and a psychologist, you got a unique way to see your society. What is happening for young people in Peru today?
Well, there are more and more cases of young people, even children, getting involved in drugs – both theft and consumption – leaving aside their studies and personal growth. When I was, until recently, at Concrete Jungle Foundation, I saw first-hand how skateboarding helps kids focus on their short, medium and long term goals. I tried to use my degree to understand the context in which they grew up and the dangers they are exposed to, day to day. Many of them came from dysfunctional hmes, having parents who committed crimes. And when we spoke, their goals were often along the lines of: “I don’t want to become like my dad”, “I want to be professional”, “I want to be known for good things”. There was a genuine desire for change.
2019 saw you travel from Peru to take part in Pushing Boarders Malmö, sitting on our shared panel: Globally Stoked. You were a really special part of that experience for me. How was it for you?
It was the best experience of my fucking life! I was so nervous to speak – in another language, one that I have not mastered – knowing that there were going to be skaters that I have admired since I started skating, that have inspired me and my skateboarding. But it was an extraordinary experience. I got to know another culture, a country considered to have the least trash in the world, by the way. [Laughs] I got to help with the construction of the Pig Barrier DIY skate bowl, meet so many good people with completely different ways of thinking from Peru; that isn’t: everything is wrong with people. I wish I could repeat those two weeks again and again for the rest of my life.
I felt so close with everyone on our panel by the end of our time together – tell me about our international ‘Globally Stoked’ crew as you saw it.
I remember everything as if it were yesterday, from when I arrived at the airport and met Aram, obviously a strange journey, to when I arrived at Bryggeriet and saw you with Ruby [Mateja, co-founder of Free Movement Skateboarding]. I had no idea what to say or what to do, if you remember. I sat on the sidelines [Laughs]. I am a psychologist, I have to analyse the context of things first. Then I approached you and all was great. Days later, Atita [Verghese] arrived, and the situation changed again. We talked together, as if we had known each other for years. It was strange and cute, at the same time. I had only met Ayanda [Mnyandu, Skateistan] by video call, but when he arrived it was the same feeling as with Atita. Then there was the day of rehearsal. [Laughs] That day, I could see the anxiety in Aram, and his desire to leave the dense discussion about the Olympics. But in general, I consider us all family. It was good to connect with wonderful people, that’s what you all are.
And other than falling in love 9,000 times, what have you taken away from Pushing Boarders? Has anything come from it? Any projects?
[Laughs] It was impossible not to fall in love, but only one person stole my heart. That’s another subject! Coming back, I really wanted to put into practice what I heard at the event, and mix it into my career, seeking improvements in my country through the experiences I had. This is still in process, but hopes are not lost. You know, in Peru it is still frowned upon to go to therapy. It’s a thousand light years in the past, in this way. Meeting the goals of my many projects requires effort and patience, but I know what I want to achieve.
I will forever remember you as the absolute boss who killed it at ‘Gasolina’ in Malmö’s late-night karaoke bar. You’re my hero, and only after seeing you, did I feel confident enough to smash Destiny’s Child with my fine Free Movement Skateboarding counter parts. Were you nervous singing in front of the likes of Leo Baker and Alexis Sablone, not to mention countless other skate industry faces?
[Laughs] That night is tattooed onto my brain! Norma [Ibarra] was supposed to sing ‘Gasolina’ with me, since we both speak Spanish. It was going to make me feel a little more comfortable, but it was not a problem in the end! I arrived with the other girls, and everyone was saying what they were going to sing. The situation got real when everybody else suddenly arrived. At the beginning, there was only Ebeling, Osh, Horowitz and I felt safe. [Laughs] And then suddenly in comes Leo, Mimi [Knoop], Alexis, Sarah [Meurle], and I thought: Oh, fuck. What am I doing?! The karaoke started, everyone was singing sad songs, and I said: to hell with it, we’re going ‘Gasolina’! [Laughs] It was one of the best nights ever!
You told me seeing Sweden really changed your perspective on the world – how so? Did this affect your mental health?
Obviously! Not only because of the skateboarding, but because of the culture, the cleanliness, the order and the vibes of local people. There is so much we work towards in Peru, but nobody takes the time to do the big things in small steps. It made me see that things can improve, and this experience opened new opportunities for change in my mind. And yes it really affected my mental health – but in a good way. I always had this idea that the Europeans were cold, but the truth is quite the opposite. I was afraid of that trip beforehand, I was afraid I would not like it, you know: the insecurities of the newcomer [Laughs]. But I returned with the best impression of everything!
One thing you said that really shocked me was how difficult it is to get support or sponsorship as a less feminine-presenting woman in Peruvian skateboarding. What has been your experience there?
It’s something that I’ve been struggling with mentally, and I need support, but if that means changing my way of being or having to be someone I’m not to be considered worthy of that support, fuck that! I can fend for myself, and I will not change for anybody. Peru is still a third world country, and when I say this, I do not mean that I do not love my country. It’s just a mentality that needs to change. Us skaters, we do it because it helps us de-stress, be responsible for ourselves, and take time out. But Peruvian society sees us as people with too much free time, or without direction in life. As the industry picks up here, hopefully that won’t be as much of an issue.
What are your dreams for the future of Peruvian skateboarding?
My dream is that the same opportunities are given to everyone, not only for a group of people who look ‘right’. But the economic situation, more than anything, is what slows us down. And I’m speaking personally from experience about it, because I’m living it.
So do you picture a future for yourself in Peru?
Peru’s Olympics Federation is a very different point. Although it offers a new perspective and new opportunities for skaters, there is a bit of disorganization, there is no clear communication yet, there is no 100% commitment on the part of skaters, which also prevents the growth of the federative goal. I see this as a relationship where both parties have to do their part to grow, it is an issue that I still cannot understand – there are people who ask for something, but do nothing. It’s important not only to look out for oneself.
And us Leyla! Do we have a future together? Will this Span-glish battle to communicate continue?
My dear Will. I am with you until the next life (insert sexy emoji). [Laughs] Our method of communication is something only we can understand, but I promise to practice my English more – I was even thinking about taking classes. I have so much to thank you for and so few ways to do it, but yes, we have a goal to accomplish together and hopefully next year we will be on the same continent, to ride skateboarding and dance parranda. [Laughs]
Thank you for everything, Leyla mate. I can’t wait to see you again ya’ filthy little rascal.
IG: @leylaskater
