Ten important skateboard spots in Kochi, India
1. Marine Drive Promenade
Marine Drive is one of the most iconic and scenic spots in Kochi, offering breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. The long, smooth promenade along the waterfront is a popular hangout spot for locals and visitors alike. For skateboarders, the paved walkway provides the perfect surface for cruising and longboarding. Skaters can enjoy the cool breeze and beautiful sea views as they ride along the promenade, making it an ideal spot for relaxed, recreational skating.
The promenade is well-lit at night, which means that skaters can enjoy sessions well into the evening. However, it’s best to visit during off-peak hours, as the area tends to get crowded with pedestrians, especially on weekends. The wide-open spaces, smooth surfaces, and serene atmosphere make Marine Drive one of the top spots for skateboarders in Kochi.
2. Subhash Park
Located near Marine Drive, Subhash Park is a large, well-maintained public park that offers ample space for recreational activities, including skateboarding. The park’s smooth pathways and spacious layout make it a great place for skateboarders to practice flatground tricks and enjoy a relaxed skate session. Skaters can take advantage of the park’s open areas to work on balance, carving, and ollies without interference from heavy pedestrian traffic.
Subhash Park is particularly popular with beginners and casual skaters, as its paved walkways provide a safe and accessible environment for learning. The park is family-friendly and offers a peaceful setting surrounded by greenery, making it a refreshing spot to skate away from the noise of the city.
3. Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium Parking Lot
Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, primarily known for hosting cricket matches, has a spacious parking lot that has become a favorite skateboarding spot for local skaters. The large, smooth surface of the parking lot provides ample room for skaters to practice their tricks, including manuals, ollies, and kickflips. The parking lot’s wide-open layout is ideal for skaters of all levels, offering the space to experiment with new moves without the worry of overcrowding.
The parking lot is relatively quiet during non-match days, making it an excellent spot for long skate sessions. Skaters can use the curbs and ramps around the stadium to practice grinds and slides, giving them a taste of street-style skating in a controlled environment. The stadium parking lot is also a great place to meet other skateboarders in Kochi, as it’s a popular gathering spot for local skaters.
4. Panampilly Nagar Walkway
Panampilly Nagar is one of Kochi’s upscale residential neighborhoods, known for its tree-lined streets and peaceful atmosphere. The area features a smooth, well-maintained walkway that runs along the main road, offering skateboarders a perfect spot for cruising and longboarding. The wide sidewalks and relatively low traffic in the area make it a safe and enjoyable place for skaters to practice their skills.
Panampilly Nagar’s calm environment makes it particularly popular with skaters looking for a quiet and scenic spot to ride. The neighborhood’s mix of urban and residential elements provides a unique backdrop for street-style skating. Skaters can take advantage of the smooth pavements and gentle slopes in the area to practice downhill runs, making Panampilly Nagar a versatile and enjoyable spot for both beginners and experienced skaters.
5. Fort Kochi Beach Walkway
Fort Kochi is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Kerala, known for its colonial architecture, vibrant art scene, and beautiful beaches. The Fort Kochi Beach Walkway, which runs along the shoreline, is an excellent spot for skateboarders who want to enjoy scenic views while cruising. The smooth, paved pathway offers a long stretch of terrain for skaters to ride, and the beachside atmosphere provides a refreshing backdrop for a skate session.
Fort Kochi’s unique blend of history and culture makes skating here a memorable experience. While the area can get crowded with tourists, skaters can find quieter times in the early morning or late evening to enjoy uninterrupted sessions. The flat terrain and seaside views make Fort Kochi Beach Walkway a must-visit spot for any skateboarder in Kochi.
6. Vyttila Mobility Hub
Vyttila Mobility Hub is one of the largest integrated transport terminals in India, serving as a central point for buses, trains, and ferries in Kochi. While it’s primarily a transit hub, the area surrounding the hub, including the parking lot and open spaces, has become a popular spot for skateboarders. The smooth concrete surfaces and wide-open spaces provide an excellent environment for practicing tricks and street-style skating.
The mobility hub’s modern architecture includes various ramps, stairs, and ledges that skaters can use to practice grinds, slides, and manuals. Skating in this area offers a more urban experience, and the location is accessible to skaters from all parts of the city. The Vyttila Mobility Hub is a great spot for advanced skaters looking for urban obstacles to challenge their skills.
7. Infopark Campus
Infopark is one of Kochi’s leading IT hubs, home to several multinational companies and modern office complexes. The campus features wide, smooth roads and open spaces that are perfect for skateboarding, especially during non-working hours. The well-paved surfaces and modern infrastructure provide an ideal setting for longboarding, cruising, and practicing flatground tricks.
While the campus is busy during the weekdays, skaters can enjoy the peaceful environment of Infopark during weekends or late evenings when the area is less crowded. The sleek, corporate atmosphere of the campus adds a unique element to the skating experience, and the large open areas make it an attractive spot for skateboarders looking for a quiet, well-maintained place to skate.
8. Changampuzha Park
Changampuzha Park, located in Edappally, is a cultural park that hosts a variety of events, including music, art, and theater performances. The park’s well-maintained pathways and open areas have also made it a popular spot for recreational activities like jogging, cycling, and skateboarding. The smooth surfaces of the park’s walkways provide a great environment for skaters to practice their skills in a peaceful, family-friendly setting.
Changampuzha Park is especially suitable for beginner skateboarders, as the park’s pathways are flat and easy to navigate. The park’s calm atmosphere and beautiful surroundings make it an excellent spot for relaxed, recreational skating. Skaters can enjoy a quiet session in the park while taking in the local culture and artistic performances that often take place here.
9. Lulu Mall Parking Lot
Lulu Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in India, features a spacious parking lot that has become a popular skateboarding spot for Kochi’s skaters. The smooth concrete surface of the parking lot is perfect for practicing tricks, such as manuals, ollies, and kickflips. The parking lot’s wide-open layout provides ample room for skaters to move freely and experiment with different styles of skating.
The covered parking area also offers shelter from the rain, making it a reliable spot for skateboarding year-round. Skaters can take advantage of the ramps and curbs around the parking lot to practice street-style tricks. Although skating in the parking lot is unofficial, security is usually lenient as long as skaters remain respectful and avoid disrupting mall operations.
10. Thrikkakara Municipal Ground
Thrikkakara Municipal Ground, located near the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), is a large open ground that has become a popular hangout spot for local skateboarders and other recreational sports enthusiasts. The ground’s spacious layout and relatively flat terrain make it an ideal spot for skating, especially for beginners and casual skaters.
The open space allows skaters to practice flatground tricks, carving, and cruising without worrying about obstacles or traffic. The municipal ground is also a social hub for skaters to meet and practice together, creating a sense of community within Kochi’s growing skateboarding scene. The ground’s accessibility and open layout make it one of the best spots in the city for relaxed, recreational skateboarding.
Skateboarding is tribal and most locals are welcoming, but if you're new to a spot, or just passing through, have respect for the locals. Listen. Be smart. Have fun.
A human being
Art can change the world – and everybody is an artist. Those who scribble stickmen. Those who paint chapel ceilings. Those who tattoo biceps. Those who are careful with pigment on canvas. Those who create fantasy characters. Those who paint pet portraits. Those who yarn bomb. Those who write poems on crappy old cardboard.
My art lives on the bottom of skateboard decks. It's designed for you to destroy. For you, the rider, my art may come second to the deck’s ability to perform – and that’s awesome. To me, art comes first. Always.
It’s how I think. It’s who I am. It’s what I am.
A machine
This article has been created with the help of artificial intelligence platforms ChatGPT and Bard. If there are inaccuracies or there are opportunities for improvement, please let me know.
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