Mumbai set to host India's first-ever rooftop speed skating championship

Vian Mahabat (centre) practises with other skaters at the venue

As you read this article, young skaters from Mumbai and beyond are busy warming up, putting on their roller skates and perfecting their glides to put their best foot forward for India's first rooftop speed skating championship. The location, however, is a tad filmy - at BKC-based Jio World Drive-in's open-air theatre, where more than 300 amateur, state and national-level skaters from across India will lock horns.

An initiative by The Skate Academy and Jio World Drive, Skating in the Skies is open to children who are five and above. Ajay Shivlani, founder, The Skate Academy, who grew up skating at Shivaji Park and is a world record-holder in the sport, shares that he's always wanted to create experiences that give skaters a sense of joy. Unfortunately, the sport does not offer much career growth in India, he adds. "Which is why we started our competitions - to enable a healthy, positive experience, and this rooftop speed skating championship was envisioned for the same reason," explains the coach and international skating examiner.

A view of the skating track

Skaters will get to flaunt their speed and style on a 240-m circuit against a panoramic view of the Mumbai skyline. Higher also means a quieter ambience, which will enable skaters to focus better, notes Shivlani. "When I saw the Drive-in space at this mall, I realised it's a haven for speed skaters. It's also got grass that offers cushioning for injuries. Nowhere in India have I seen a rooftop skating space,"
he asserts.

Over two days, skaters will participate in events across different categories, with professional speed inline and quad skating taking place at the drive-in, and recreational inline and rubber quad skating playing out at the Somaiya Skating Track in Sion. The events are staggered to avoid crowding; spectators will be seated in the middle of the circuit and get a 360-degree view of the competition. "There will also be caricature, face-painting and tattoo artistes who will be hanging around. It's not just a competition; it'll be like a carnival," the founder promises.

Yug Moramkar

Eighteen-year-old Yug Moramkar, a national-level skater based out of Mahim and one of the participants, hails this new-found skating track as a boost to the sport's ecosystem in Mumbai and India. "Skating has been a growing sport, but the country lacks enough skating rinks and investment. This [rooftop skating] event has never taken place in the country, and will be encouraging and eye-opening for both skaters and those who are keen on taking up the sport," reckons Moramkar. It's a bonus that the track is smoother and the view from there is amazing, he adds.

Ajay Shivlani

Meanwhile, state-level winner Vian Mahabat, who has been skating since she was five, shares that she's been practising her moves at the circuit. "The track has a slight uphill and a downhill patch, which makes it exciting. Because it's on a rooftop, I think it's going to be fun!" hopes the 11-year-old.

On: February 26 and 27, 7 am to 11 am
At: Jio World Drive-in, BKC
Call: 9768080580 to participate
Cost: Rs 1,250 for registration