TL;DR:

Skateboarding in India has existed for over 20 years, but only recently has it begun to thrive. While cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi are recognized hotspots, countless lesser-known communities are emerging across the country. This project aims to document this movement and amplify India's presence in the global skateboarding narrative, something that has long been overlooked by international media and brands.

This is the first unified, aesthetically coherent initiative to document Indian skateboarding at scale. Through photography and live events, we’ll build a cultural archive while generating revenue for the Gnars DAO through NFTs and media distribution. This initial phase is just the beginning of a long-term, open-source documentation effort.

Who is Fernando Ferreira?

• Farcaster Profile
• 7Capas Gnars Magazine - Photography Work with Styland
• Profile Zora Co
• Fernando Ferreira Website

Summary

• Create a multi-city documentary of India’s growing skateboarding culture.
• Photograph key scenes and characters, capturing lifestyle and action.
• Host grassroots events in major skate hubs with best trick contests.
• Mint photos and exclusive footage as NFTs on Zora, with all funds going to the Gnars treasury.
• Generate visibility, archive a historic moment, and onboard Indian skaters to the Gnars ecosystem.

“Skateboarding in India is about more than tricks. It’s community, it’s struggle, it’s art.”

India & Skateboarding Today

Skateboarding in India is booming, driven by youth, social projects, and cultural exchange. Even in places without pavement, skaters find ways to ride. Mumbai alone has an estimated 30,000 skaters.

The culture is taking root in cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Jaipur, and beyond. DIY parks, public spaces, and online videos are shaping a new generation of Indian skateboarders.

Project Overview

This project will celebrate and elevate Indian skateboarding through documentation and digital art. Our objectives:

• Document: the skate culture across different regions and its unique identities.
• Celebrate: skaters, mentors, and scene-builders shaping the movement.
• Connect: global skate communities with Indian riders through storytelling.
• Sustain: fund this and future projects with NFT sales directed to the Gnars treasury.

In addition to being featured and printed in 7Capas magazine, this picture (zora Mint) was one of my first viral photos on Zora—made possible with the support of key builders and marking the beginning of my onchain work in collaboration with GnarsDAO.

NFT Strategy

• Photo Editions: Gnars NFTs + Podmedia content
• Video Moments: Key clips from the journey.
• Special Drops: 1/1s, skate art collabs, and behind-the-scenes content.
• All proceeds go directly to the DAO treasury.
• Promotion across Farcaster, Warpcast, and aligned platforms.

Event Strategy

We’ll organize free, inclusive skate events in major Indian cities.
A key format will be:

Best Trick / Long Ollie Challenge

A nod to Indian skateboarding tradition. Events will be relaxed, open, and driven by community energy. Prizes will include Gnars gear, NFTs, and exposure.

• Final event in Mumbai with potential presence of Gnars DAO contributors.
• Every event will double as filming opportunity and celebration.

Skateboard culture documented by me over the years.

Format & Deliverables

• Photography: action + portrait + lifestyle.
• Social Media: short interviews, reels, raw moments.
• Documentary Series: summary of the journey.
• Publication: optional zine, book, or magazine.
• Exhibition: traveling photo/video installation.

Nounish Alignment

• Public Good: open documentation of a neglected skate culture.
• Extreme Culture: highlighting skating in harsh and unconventional environments.
• Onchain-first: revenue flows directly to the DAO treasury via NFTs.
• Permissionless Spirit: skate everything, film everywhere, share it freely.

Team & Roles

The project will be executed on the ground by Me (Fernando Ferreira, with support from Gnars builders providing voluntary digital assistance through regular meetings and strategic guidance.

• Fernando Ferreira — Product Execution, Director, filmmaker, and photographer.
• Vlad — Coordination, general support, content strategy.
• Will / Zima — DAO integration, governance liaison, cultural exchange.
• Gnars Builder - Any member of the DAO who is willing to contribute to the development of this project.
• Additional collaborators will include local skaters, translators, and fixers.

Timeline

Success Metrics

• Authentic documentation of the skate scene in different regions of India, highlighting their unique cultural characteristics.

• Curated production of photos and videos that reflect the lifestyle and creativity of local skateboarders.

• Organization of gatherings and activities in partnership with the local scene, strengthening connections and cultural exchange.

• Direct involvement of local skaters in the project, with a focus on their stories and personal journeys.

• Creation of NFTs and other digital assets that support the project's sustainability and contribute to the DAO treasury.

• Final publication of the material in accessible and lasting formats, such as a digital zine, online gallery, or exhibition.

Conclusion

This is more than a skate trip, it's a cultural preservation mission and a powerful onboarding opportunity. By documenting the rise of skateboarding in India and connecting it to the global community, we create visibility, inspire the next wave of riders, and open the door to sustainable funding for public goods through NFTs.

Gnars has a chance to be remembered as the DAO that not only elevated a generation of Indian skateboarders, but also brought new builders and communities onchain.

Thanks everyone! I hope you enjoyed the project. I'm open to any feedback on how to improve the execution and deliverables, feel free to share your thoughts!

Budget Estimate

Flights

Train Travel

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Final Totals

• Travel Costs: ₹133,000
• Lodging: ₹200,000
• Production: ₹100,000
• Total: ₹433,000 (~$5,200 USD)

Budget Proposal: Technical Summary

Requested total: $5,200 USD
Payment split / Rationale:

• 50% in ETH (≈ $2,600 USD, with ETH ≈ $4,200 USD)
• 50% in USDC ($2,600 USDC)

Total: 0.619 ETH + 2,600 USDC ≈ $5,200 USD

This mixed structure ensures operational flexibility: ETH (is valued at an average of $4,200 USD to mitigate market fluctuations in this allocation) aligns with the crypto-native ecosystem and long-term treasury strategy, while USDC provides stability for fixed and off-chain costs such as logistics, equipment, and collaborators.