One of the most beloved aspects of Goa is that the creative spirit is given ample space for nurturing and exploration, and this extends to the field of sports. Fast-paced, action-packed, and traversing the realms of recreational and professional with aplomb, skateboarding - known and loved for its artful edge - has been taking our coastal state’s sports circuit by storm.
Home of the Alt
Skateboarding originated in sunny California in the United States in the 1940s or 1950s, as the terrestrial alternative to surfing and has, in the collective consciousness, long straddled the line between subculture and mainstream, finally receiving recognition as an Olympic sport in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
This sport, which has world-renowned ambassadors like skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, has made a mark in India and found a home in Goa. Since the early 2000s, it has been fulfilling its purpose of bringing together people across walks of life to share in the exhilaration of catching air!
At present, SkateLifeGoa and Cirrus (actively promoting skateboarding in the state through workshops and offering skating spaces), Skateable Spaces (India’s leading skatepark design, construction, and service company), Piso Skateboards (a Goa-based company building and selling high-quality skateboards), among others, have been the driving force behind skateboarding gaining momentum across Goa.
Some skateboarding spots in Goa
Miramar Skatepark, Panjim
Located at the Youth Hostel, Miramar, this skatepark is a central hub for the local skateboarding community. Developed by SkateLifeGoa and sponsored by VANS India, the skate park welcomes skaters of all levels to test their mettle on a variety of ramps and obstacles. With events like Sunday Skate Jams, SKATE DAY, and others, come find your vibe and tribe here!
For more updates, check out @skatelifegoa
DiY Skatepark at Cirrus, Anjuna
Image courtesy: @cirrusgoa
Situated in Anjuna, the skatepark at Cirrus is known for its creative environment and unique ramps. Built by Holystoked, a team of skilled skatepark builders from Bangalore, this place allows skateboarders to come here to shred while enjoying hypnotic works of art customized for the space.
For more updates, check out @cirrusgoa
DIY skating areas across Goa
Once you become a part of this community, you’ll be privy to a host of great spaces for skateboarding across the state!
A warm, welcoming community
At its heart, skateboarding places massive emphasis on inclusivity and community building, ensuring that newcomers and veterans are equally welcome. SkateLifeGoa, a prominent group championing skateboarding in the state, plays a crucial role in organizing events and maintaining skateparks, creating a vibrant ecosystem for the sport to grow consistently.
Challenges and innovations
The usual lack of adequate infrastructure and few public skateparks have hampered the growth of skateboarding in Goa, but, like any good skateboarder, the community is finding its way around this obstacle and even embracing these challenges with innovation. DIY skateparks and creative use of unconventional spaces have become hallmarks of the Goan skateboarding scene.
Organizations like Skateable Spaces are at the forefront of this movement, transforming small, unused areas into functional skateboarding environments, and making the sport more accessible.
The future of skateboarding in Goa
The future of skateboarding in Goa looks bright, with new initiatives on the horizon. As more people are drawn to the sport, the skateboarding community in Goa continues to grow and evolve. Schools and government bodies are recognizing the benefits of skateboarding and are creating more skateparks to cater to the growing interest among children and youth.
So, grab your skateboard, put on your helmet, and head to one of Goa's skate spots to experience the sheer thrill and camaraderie of this dynamic sport!
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