Wheels of Freedom: Celebrating Skateboarding in India

A personal ode to skateboarding in India

Skateboarding. It’s the most beautiful thing in my life, second only to a few other things. I love its essence, culture, and everything it brings to this world. The soundscapes, the interaction with architecture, the people you meet, the stories, the fashion, the lifestyle, the journeys, the injuries, the downtime—everything about it is so real. It’s not something easy to do, and it’s too hard to fake, so it only attracts and nurtures the real and the original.

And the best part? It gives you community—a global family of sorts, where people everywhere share the same passion for this piece of wood on wheels. You can travel anywhere in the world, and even if you don’t speak the language, you can still hang out and share the love and passion for skateboarding.

The Origins of Skateboarding and Its Arrival in India

Skateboarding has been around since the 1960s, starting as an offshoot of surfing. When there were no waves, surfers would sidewalk surf the streets in California, leading to the evolution of what we know as modern-day skateboarding. The scene in its birthplace, the USA, is the biggest and has been around the longest. Europe and other Western nations followed suit shortly after. It wasn’t until the 2000s that skateboarding made its way to Indian soil.

The origin stories of skateboarding in India are already out there, so I won’t dive into the details, but wow, has it changed since then.

The Evolution of Skateboarding in India: From a Few to a Movement

In the early 2000s, there were only two skateboarding spots in India, and now, I can’t even keep track anymore. The same goes for the number of skaters. It went from a handful of people across the whole country to hundreds from all over. We’ve seen the rise of more skate shops and skate brands, more crews, more women and non-binary participation, more contests, and more skateboarding events. Inclusion in the Olympics—another contentious topic I won’t get into here—has also changed the landscape drastically.

But skateboarding is way more than just a hobby or a sport. It’s a global phenomenon with roots deeply connected to music, art, and youth culture. Skateboarding culture has always gone hand in hand with graffiti, hip hop, photography, fashion, videography, punk rock, tattoos, and other counter-cultures. It’s something that builds communities and brings people together, regardless of age, race, class, or gender. Skateboarding permeates these divisions, giving you a sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself.

The Influence of Skateboarding Culture on Fashion and Streetwear

The undeniable influence skateboarding has had on fashion and streetwear is something worth noting. Skateboarding culture has contributed significantly to the evolution of streetwear trends, so people need to recognize the importance of skater-run brands. Instead of supporting brands that don’t care about the culture but use it to their advantage, we should focus on skater-run businesses. Whether or not you skateboard, it’s always cooler to support the people who are making the scene, so it stays authentic and true to itself. The next time you’re shopping for skateboarding gear or streetwear, ask yourself, “Is my purchase supporting the people who care about preserving the essence of the skateboarding scene?” or “Is it supporting the people and movements that make the scene what it is?

The Impact of the Pandemic and the Changing Landscape of Skateboarding in India

The pandemic saw a steep rise in skateboard sales globally, and in recent years, skateboarding has attracted a whole new crowd of personalities. Its inclusion as an Olympic sport has changed the skateboarding trends drastically, bringing it to a place unfamiliar to the typical skater. What was once an underground scene that thrived on non-conformist attitudes and left-field ways of doing things has now become something else for many. It’s now about competing, being the best, and representing your country as an organized sport. From being a raw activity for fun, self-expression, and creativity, skateboarding is becoming more about training for the next contest or gaining more followers. The rise of “skater moms and dads” pushing their kids to train and become social media influencers is another shift in the landscape.

Keeping the Spirit of Skateboarding Alive: A Call to Remember Its Roots

We must remember skateboarding’s roots and keep the underground alive. Everything will eventually change, but the only thing we can do is to keep skateboarding in the hands of skateboarders, lovers, and makers of the scene. And let’s not forget—it’s just a piece of wood at the end of the day. The best skateboarder is the one having the most fun, style is everything, and being a good person matters more than anything. Skateboarding in India has come a long way, but the essence of skateboarding culture remains unchanged. It’s a celebration of freedom, creativity, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or new to the scene, the day of skateboarding is a reminder of what it’s all about—having fun, staying true to yourself, and being part of something bigger.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of Jameson Connects.

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About the author

Atita Ratty Verghese

Atita Verghese is a pioneer in India’s skateboarding scene and became the first sponsored skateboarder for Vans in 2016. She founded Girl Skate India to promote skateboarding among women and non-binary people. Now based in Goa, Atita is a professional DJ and skateboarding instructor.