Ten important skateboard spots in Malapurram, India
1. Kottakkunnu Hill Park
Kottakkunnu Hill Park, often referred to as the "Marine Drive of Malappuram," is one of the most beautiful recreational areas in the city. Known for its panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, this park also serves as a great skateboarding spot. The wide, paved walkways are ideal for cruising, and the gentle slopes provide the perfect terrain for downhill rides. For longboarders, Kottakkunnu is a paradise, offering smooth runs with stunning views.
Skaters visiting Kottakkunnu can enjoy a relaxed environment, practicing flatground tricks or simply riding through the park’s pathways. The park tends to get crowded during the evenings, but early mornings or weekdays provide a peaceful and spacious area to skate.
2. Angadippuram Town Square
Angadippuram, a small town in Malappuram district, is home to a quiet but open town square that skaters have started to frequent. The square features smooth pavements and open areas that make it a suitable spot for skateboarders looking to practice their tricks. The flat terrain allows beginners to get comfortable on their boards while providing enough space for advanced skaters to work on ollies, flips, and manuals.
While Angadippuram is mostly known for its temples, the town square offers an unexpectedly great place for local skaters to hang out and skate in a relaxed environment. It’s a peaceful spot away from the hustle and bustle of larger towns, making it a perfect place for uninterrupted skating sessions.
3. Areekode Bridge Walkway
The walkway along Areekode Bridge, which spans the Chaliyar River, has become a unique and picturesque skate spot. The bridge offers smooth surfaces and wide enough walkways for skaters to ride while enjoying views of the river and surrounding greenery. The combination of urban structure and natural scenery makes this spot one of the most visually appealing places to skate in Malappuram.
Although the bridge is primarily for pedestrians, skateboarders can use the less crowded times of the day—early morning or late evening—to enjoy a calm and scenic ride. The length of the walkway is perfect for longboarding, while street skaters can use the space to practice flatground tricks.
4. Manjeri Stadium Grounds
Manjeri, one of the larger towns in Malappuram district, is home to a stadium complex that has wide, open grounds perfect for skateboarding. The flat, smooth concrete surfaces around the stadium are great for skaters who want to work on their flip tricks, manuals, and slides. The open space also allows for long skate sessions without the worry of heavy traffic or pedestrians.
During non-event days, the stadium grounds are quiet, giving skaters ample time and space to practice. The stadium is also a gathering point for local skateboarders, making it a social spot where skaters can meet, exchange tips, and have fun together.
5. Malappuram Collectorate Area
The Malappuram Collectorate is a government office complex, but its well-maintained, paved pathways have caught the attention of local skateboarders. The smooth walkways around the building make it an unexpected but excellent place for flatground skating. Additionally, the steps and ramps located around the premises provide the perfect features for street skaters to practice ollies, grinds, and slides.
Since the area is less crowded outside of working hours, skaters can enjoy uninterrupted sessions during the evenings or on weekends. The clean, urban setting of the Collectorate area, combined with its variety of skateable features, makes it a favorite for street-style skating enthusiasts.
6. Thunchan Memorial Park, Tirur
Thunchan Memorial Park, located in Tirur (part of Malappuram district), is a park dedicated to the famous Malayalam poet Thunchath Ezhuthachan. The park, with its paved walkways and large, open spaces, offers a serene spot for skateboarders. Though primarily a place for relaxation and cultural events, skaters have found the park’s well-maintained surfaces to be ideal for practicing basic tricks and cruising.
The park’s peaceful surroundings and minimal foot traffic during the day make it a great spot for skaters who enjoy a quieter environment. The layout of the park allows skaters to move freely, and the smooth terrain is perfect for beginners or those looking for a laid-back skating experience.
7. Perinthalmanna Public Grounds
Perinthalmanna, another town in the Malappuram district, boasts a large public ground that has become a meeting point for local skaters. The flat, concrete surfaces of the ground are perfect for practicing tricks like kickflips, ollies, and manuals. The spacious layout of the area gives skaters the freedom to experiment with different moves without worrying about running into obstacles or other people.
The Perinthalmanna public grounds are particularly popular with young skaters who are just starting to learn the sport. The area is quiet during the afternoons, offering plenty of time and space for skaters to perfect their tricks. It’s also a great spot for socializing, as local skateboarders often gather here for group sessions.
8. Nilambur Teak Museum Courtyard
Nilambur, famous for its teak forests, also hosts the world’s first Teak Museum. While the museum itself is a major tourist attraction, the large, paved courtyard in front of the museum has become a popular spot for skateboarders in the area. The smooth concrete surface of the courtyard provides a fantastic space for flatground tricks and cruising.
Skating in this area offers a unique experience, as the natural beauty of Nilambur’s forests surrounds the museum. Skaters can enjoy practicing their tricks in a peaceful, green environment, with the occasional challenge of navigating around benches and trees. The quiet, spacious courtyard makes the Teak Museum one of the more picturesque skate spots in the district.
9. Ponnani Beach Promenade
Ponnani, a coastal town in Malappuram, offers a scenic skateboarding experience along its beach promenade. The smooth, paved paths along the coast provide skaters with a great surface for cruising and practicing flatground tricks. The beachside atmosphere, with the sound of the waves and the cool breeze, creates a relaxed environment that skaters can enjoy while riding.
The Ponnani Beach Promenade is especially popular during the early morning and late evening when the promenade is less crowded with beachgoers. The mix of flat surfaces and scenic views makes this spot ideal for both casual skaters and those looking to perfect their skills in a peaceful setting.
10. Edavanna Town Center
Edavanna, a small town in the Malappuram district, has a central market area that offers some interesting urban features for skateboarders. The smooth sidewalks, stair sets, and ramps around the town center make it an unexpected but exciting spot for street skaters. While the area can be busy during market hours, skaters often come here during the early morning or evening when the streets are quieter.
The variety of urban features, from steps to curbs, gives advanced skaters plenty of opportunities to work on their street tricks. The town center’s blend of small-town charm and modern urban features provides a unique backdrop for skaters looking for a more challenging skate environment.
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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