Scene Report: Manipur, India
Imphal, the capital city is a small one only by Indian standards, Is
located off the normal tourist routes in the far northeast corner of
the country,
It’s remoteness and slowly growing infrastructure aren’t stopping
growing extreme sports scene.
A state without a skatepark or a decent skateshop . Skate gear is
coveted here like gold!
Yet the longboarders are more willing to take turns and share
everything and teach each other then in most communities. When we
skateboard in the valley, we always end up stopping, mobbed by
children, smiling laughing and waiting for their turn to try these
long boards on wheels.
During the day it is an energetic city, but not long after nightfall
it turns into a quiet dimly lit ghost town. Most days before the
sunsets you can find some of the 30 skateboarders and longboarders
hanging at the local spot in the sports complex which is home to some
epic sport venues like a velodrome, 2 huge stadiums one for soccer and
field hockey, there’s even a horse polo court nearby but no skatepark.
Like any urban skate population it’s only on a special day that the
majority rolls together. But lately it’s been happening more. All
because of a local movement, led by a the local scene creator tired of
all trash being littered has started to organize skate jams and
downhill sessions which end with collecting bags or boxes of waste
from the surrounding area. It’s quite the sight as these sessions are
purposely put on, in somewhat busy pedestrian areas. It feels so good
to be part of a crew that will leave every spot nicer than before!
Skate and destroy litter! They also volunteer touring schools a couple
days a week, to help raise awareness about the plastic problem.
The eldest member of longboard crew India Manipur, is so inspired by
the feeling of longboarding that he has made it his goal to make
India’s first downhill skatepark. He’s in the process of buying a
mountainside property now and the park is projected to be paved and
open by 2020
