This Sunday, as skaters mark World Skate Day, Kolkata is finding its footing on wheels. At a recent beginner-friendly skate and surf skate session, the focus wasn’t tricks but trying, falling, laughing, and getting back up. “The turnout was way bigger than I expected... pretty much everyone was falling all over the place at first, myself included, but honestly that was half the fun,” says student Dev Twania. From college-goers to working professionals and even 30-plus beginners chasing childhood dreams, the city’s skating scene is opening up, one hesitant push at a time.
Kolkata’s Own Skating Scene
Despite the buzz, skating in Kolkata remains niche. “While the skating community is small, the interest is definitely there,” says Munazir, citing low visibility and limited beginner-friendly entry points. Still, insiders see momentum. “We had around 35 people join… the energy was amazing,” says attendee Khushi, noting many had “never seen anything like this in Kolkata before.” Workshops are widening access. “Many participants are women, who got the chance to try the sport,” says coach Milan Adhikari. Regulars highlight the community effect. “Training with others keeps you motivated,” says Uday. “Focus on balance first, fear affects stability,” adds student Tuhin.
Balance, Falling & Confidence Are Essential
“I tell students to fall in love with the roll first,” says Rahul Chakraborty, founder of Extreme Kolkata. Start with balance, not bravado. If you’ve never stepped on a board, here’s the truth: skating isn’t about speed or stunts, it’s about staying upright. “For complete beginners, the priority should be getting comfortable… balance, stance, and stopping safely,” says Munazir. Khushi Khanna, co-founder of Weekend Activity Club adds, “Stop overthinking and just try.” Beginners often rush. Many try to move too fast before mastering basics, Munazir notes. The fix: slow down, look ahead, and let your body learn. “Gears are the first priority, and balance is the key skill… once you get past the fear, everything becomes easier,” says skateboarder Deepti Chatterjee.
Falling Means Getting Up Again
At the New Town workshop and similar sessions, one thing became clear: falling isn’t failure, it’s initiation. “Surfskating was a completely new and exciting experience for me… I definitely left feeling more confident on the board,” says attendee Tanishi Pasricha. Even first-timers felt the thrill. “Learning from trained skaters truly made it a day to remember,” shares Hammad Salahein, a student who attended his first session. “The body needs rest to build muscle memory. Skating daily for 4 hours with no pads is how burnout and injuries happen. But skating an hour every other day? That’s how you improve without hating it,” adds Rahul Chakraborty.
First-Time Skater Essentials
- Start with balance: Stand, stabilise, and learn to stop before anything else.
- Practice smart: 30–60 minutes, 2–4 times a week is ideal.
- Look ahead, not down: Posture matters more than you think.
- Gear up (optional but smart): Helmet, knee and elbow guards can reduce fear.
- Go slow: Progression beats speed.
- Find a community: Learning with others keeps you consistent.
Consistency beats intensity. Try attending 3-4 sessions a week, with each class being 45-90 minutes.
