Ten important skateboard spots in Kozikhode, India
1. Sarovaram Bio Park
Sarovaram Bio Park is one of Kozhikode’s most beautiful green spaces, designed as an eco-tourism project. The park has become a popular spot for skateboarders due to its long, smooth pathways and scenic surroundings. The park offers a peaceful atmosphere, with pathways that curve through lush greenery and small lakes, providing skateboarders with a relaxing environment to cruise or practice flatground tricks.
The park’s well-maintained walkways are ideal for skaters who want to work on their basic tricks, balance, and cruising. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to visit, as the park is less crowded, offering skaters ample space to enjoy uninterrupted sessions.
2. Mananchira Square
Mananchira Square, a well-known public space in Kozhikode, is a historic area that has been transformed into a recreational park. The square is situated around the Mananchira Tank, and it features wide, open areas, smooth pavements, and tree-lined walkways that are perfect for skateboarding. The square is especially popular among younger skateboarders who enjoy the flat terrain and ample space to practice tricks.
The layout of Mananchira Square allows skaters to experiment with flip tricks, manuals, and cruising around the park’s various sections. While it’s primarily a spot for pedestrians, the square is large enough to accommodate skaters without interfering with the flow of people. Skating here during less busy times, such as mornings or late evenings, offers a calm and peaceful environment.
3. Calicut Beach Promenade
Calicut Beach is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists, known for its picturesque sunsets and bustling atmosphere. The promenade along the beach, however, has also become a popular destination for skateboarders. The paved pathways along the shore provide skaters with a long stretch of smooth surfaces, ideal for cruising or practicing longboarding. The ocean breeze and beautiful coastal views make skating here a unique experience.
In addition to the promenade, skaters can find various benches, ledges, and curbs to use as obstacles for grinds and slides. While the area can get crowded during the evenings, especially during weekends, early mornings offer a quieter, more skater-friendly environment. Skating along the Calicut Beach Promenade is a great way to combine the thrill of skateboarding with the relaxing ambiance of the coast.
4. Thali Road and Junction
Thali Road is a central location in Kozhikode, known for its bustling market and commercial activities. However, skaters have identified several spots around Thali Junction and its surrounding areas that are ideal for street skating. The roads here feature a mix of smooth pavements, stairs, and curbs, making it a hotspot for those who enjoy technical street tricks.
Because Thali Road is a busy area, skaters often come here during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or late at night, to avoid traffic and pedestrians. The urban features of this area, such as handrails and gaps, provide a challenging terrain for experienced skaters looking to push their limits. This spot is particularly popular among local street skaters who want to hone their skills in an urban setting.
5. Hilite Mall Parking Lot
Hilite Mall, one of the largest shopping complexes in Kozhikode, offers an excellent skateboarding spot in its underground parking lot. The parking area provides shelter from the elements, making it a go-to spot during the rainy season or on hot days when outdoor skating becomes difficult. The smooth concrete surfaces, wide lanes, and pillars create a perfect environment for practicing flatground tricks, manuals, and lines.
Skaters also enjoy the ramps within the parking lot, which can be used for speed runs and jumps. Security is generally lenient, allowing skateboarders to practice in peace as long as they don’t interfere with mall operations. This spot is especially popular among skaters during the monsoon season when outdoor spots are not viable.
6. Focus Mall Rooftop Parking
Another popular shopping mall in Kozhikode, Focus Mall, offers a unique skate spot on its rooftop parking area. The large, open space provides skaters with a smooth, flat surface, perfect for flatground tricks, cruising, and learning new moves. The rooftop setting offers stunning views of the city, making it a fun and visually appealing place to skate.
This spot is generally quiet during the day, with fewer cars parked on the rooftop, allowing skateboarders to enjoy long sessions without interruptions. Skaters can also use the curbs and edges around the parking lot for grinds and slides. The rooftop setting adds a sense of freedom to the skateboarding experience, and its central location makes it easily accessible to local skaters.
7. Kozhikode Beach Bypass Road
The Kozhikode Beach Bypass Road, a long and relatively new addition to the city’s infrastructure, has quickly gained popularity among local skateboarders, especially longboarders. The smooth, wide road runs parallel to the coastline, providing a perfect spot for cruising and enjoying the ocean breeze. The gradual slopes along the road make it an excellent spot for practicing downhill longboarding.
The road is quieter during early mornings and evenings, making it an ideal time for skaters to enjoy uninterrupted rides. With minimal traffic during these hours, skateboarders can safely carve and slide along the road. The bypass road is not only a fantastic spot for skating but also a great way to experience Kozhikode’s scenic beauty while practicing the sport.
8. St. Joseph's Boys' Higher Secondary School Grounds
Skateboarding in schoolyards has always been a tradition worldwide, and St. Joseph's Boys' Higher Secondary School is no exception in Kozhikode. After school hours, the open grounds of the school become a popular spot for local skateboarders. The flat, smooth surfaces of the school’s courtyard provide an excellent location for practicing ollies, kickflips, and other flatground tricks.
The schoolyard is generally quiet in the evenings and during weekends, giving skaters the space and freedom to experiment with new tricks. While not an official skatepark, the location is perfect for beginners looking to practice in a calm and safe environment.
9. Sarovaram Walkway
Another spot within Sarovaram Bio Park, the Sarovaram Walkway, is a long, smooth path that winds through the park’s wetlands and gardens. The well-maintained walkway is popular among skateboarders who enjoy cruising or longboarding through scenic areas. The flat terrain and gentle curves of the walkway provide a fun and relaxing ride, perfect for skaters who want to focus on speed and balance.
Skating along the Sarovaram Walkway is a peaceful experience, with the natural surroundings adding to the enjoyment of the session. This spot is ideal for skaters who prefer a laid-back skate session and want to enjoy the natural beauty of Kozhikode while practicing their skills.
10. Mavoor Road
Mavoor Road is one of Kozhikode’s main arterial roads, known for its bustling commercial activity. While the road itself is too busy for skating, several quieter streets and pathways branch off from Mavoor Road, providing ideal spots for skateboarders. The backstreets and alleys feature smooth, shaded pavements that are great for practicing manuals, grinds, and lines.
These side streets offer skaters a balance between urban street skating and a quieter, more relaxed environment. The mix of traffic-free zones and varied terrain makes Mavoor Road’s surrounding areas an excellent spot for skaters looking to explore new challenges in an urban setting.
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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