AMAN VERMA
PANJIM: Gone are the days when skateboarding was just a pastime activity. For many, it is no longer just a piece of wood with wheels—it feels almost like flying for a moment before landing back on the ground. Miramar State Park transformed into a high-energy hub of adrenaline and community on April 18 as it hosted the Skate Life Goa Open. More than just a competition, the event served as a powerful testament to how deeply skateboarding has taken root in the State, drawing skaters from across India to Panjim to celebrate a culture built on resilience and friendship.
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Not everything is about prize money. More than a competition, it feels like a place where people simply show up for each other, where they fall, try again, learn together, cheer loudly for every small win, and, without even realising it, build friendships that last beyond the park.
For organiser Shilpa Kavlekar, it all began with something very simple.
“It is very close to my heart. It started with just a conversation when Anveer and I were thinking about registering Skate Life Goa as an association. I’m a lawyer by profession. We wanted to make something solid so that this community continues even after us. Now we are a registered sports association,” she said.
She added that the event has grown far beyond what they first imagined.
“This year is the largest we have ever been. Skaters are coming from all over India. We have sponsors now, but people are not coming for cash prizes—it’s the warmth and love that brings them back,” Shilpa said.
Surely, that “warmth” is something you feel the moment you enter the space. People who don’t know each other end up talking like old friends, and beginners are never left alone for long.
Amit Malvankar, one of the early skaters and organisers, has seen that change closely.
“We started with five people, then 20, and today we are more than 70–75 skaters in Goa. It’s a really nice community. There are no cash prizes or anything. It’s all just for the love of skateboarding,” he said.
He also spoke about how the idea is simple—keep it open, keep it welcoming, and let people try without fear.
For many newcomers, Goa has become the place where skateboarding stops feeling intimidating. Arya, a skater from Pune attending her first skate jam, described it exactly like that.
“I saw people skating at an event and went just out of curiosity. I saw people flying on a piece of wood, and I decided I want to do this,” she said.
She admits there have been falls and injuries, but that hasn’t changed anything.
“I twisted my ankle and hurt my knee while trying tricks, but I’m still here because I love it,” she added.
Ebin Payas from Kerala also travelled to Goa just to be part of the experience.
“I’ve been skateboarding for nine years. I came here just for fun. There’s no cash prize, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a good vibe, and Goa is getting better for skating,” he said.
Adding another layer to the growing scene, participant Bhuvanshika pointed out how the space is also becoming more inclusive, especially for women.
She noted that more women are now showing up from different cities and getting involved in the sport, which is slowly changing the face of the community.
“More women are coming from different places and participating now. It’s really nice to see that growing,” she said.
Across all these stories, one thing becomes very clear; the sport is only part of what is happening here. What really matters is the way people look out for each other, learn together, and keep coming back even after falling countless times.
And when you step back and look at it, something bigger starts to show. What begins on the ramps of Goa doesn’t really end there. It moves with every skater who leaves—quietly carried in bruises, laughter, and new friendships. It’s not just shaping Goa anymore; it’s slowly finding its way into cities across India, changing how people see skateboarding—not as a sport of perfection, but as something far more human.
