Sameer Ansari : Formiga Roller Sports Academy’s Story

Sameer Ansari : Formiga Roller Sports Academy’s Story

Welcome back to another episode of our Homies & Stories series. Today we are going to share the story of Formiga Roller Sports Academy!  and it's founder Sktr. Sameer Ansari. A passionate and hardworking skater from Mumbai. He has trained so many skaters and has given so many wonderful skateboarding memories to both kids and adults in Mumbai. Let's dive into his story!

My Story with Sameer:
Vaibhav (Piso): I first met Sameer in Jugaad skate comp in 2019 edition as far as I can remember. We did not really talk much back then but I could see this guy had a lot of fire & intensity in his eyes to make things happen. We spoke a little, got connected via our common topic of skate classes. As I got to know more about him, I have to say, he has been super consistent on his commitment of taking skate classes in a very playful and organized way. No matter if it rains or shines, hungry or not hungry, whether he is sick or energetic, he was just out there and sharing the joy of skateboarding to the people around. This is something I took/learned from him for whatever time I have known him. He is still so young but yet organized and consistent like a professional.

I very well know how tough it is to take skate classes consistently without a break. Its not at all that easy as it sounds. So lets hear out from Sameer, how he started and how is he so consistent on it no matter what! If any skater from the new generation wants to start taking classes in their locality then this is the story you should definitely listen 😊
Lets hear his story:

Sameer’s Story:
Tell us something about yourself? How did you got into skateboarding and how was you college or school life as you are still so young!?
My name is Sameer Ansari, and I am 24 years old. I was born and raised in Mumbai. However, my parents were born in Bijnor, a city located between Delhi and Haridwar.

My school life was typical of most Indian children who attend government schools, as I come from a small family. I attended a small and ordinary college where to be honest, I learned almost nothing. Consequently, I never truly enjoyed my school or college years till I graduated. During this time, I lacked direction and had no clear idea of what I wanted to do in life.

How you got into skating/skateboarding? When did you get your first board?
When I was 10, my family had to move from Santa Cruz Juhu to Govandi, near Chembur, due to family issues. In Govandi, I joined the Lok Seva Sangam (LSS) NGO, where I was introduced to various activities like Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art), singing, juggling, and more. This project is called "Familia De Ouro," which means "Golden Family" in Portuguese. I became a part of this project, which was founded by Mestre Chicote. He lives in France but visits LSS every year with new people to teach us new activities and provide us with a basic understanding of different skills. Since many of them were foreigners who spoke only English, we had to communicate in our broken English * tootha foota* to be understood.

In December 2017, Mestre Chicote informed us that he was bringing a significant opportunity to India, though we had no idea what it was at the time. Later, we found out that Decathlon Sports India was about to open a new branch at R-City Mall in Ghatkopar, and they selected 4-5 of us from LSS to join them. This was where I was introduced to skateboarding and skating for the first time in my life. After finishing my shifts, I would stay in the store a bit longer to learn how to ride a skateboard and get the hang of it. Since I used to work there, the store manager allowed me to take the skateboard outside, and I discovered a place in Mumbai called City Park in BKC, where a few people used to skate. There, I met Azhar, Sagar Waghela, Honey, Harshad, and many more enthusiasts.

When did you start taking skate classes? Why classes? What made you think that you should take classes?
I started teaching classes at Decathlon as we had to boost sales of skateboards of decathlon in India. As a 19-year-old without a coaching certificate, I was initially scared, but he insisted that I offer free classes to customers. I was essentially forced into coaching haha, but gradually, as I saw the kids learning from me and heard their parents say things like "God bless you, you are such a great coach, and we love how you coach," I began to feel good about it. My heart yearned for more of that positive feedback.
Seeing the kids eagerly wait all week for their skating and skateboarding classes with me made me realize how much they enjoyed their time with me. They would often tell me how "Kool" I was as a teacher and that they didn't enjoy any other classes as much as mine. Sometimes, both kids and parents would give me notes expressing how blessed they felt to have me as a coach. Witnessing this made me realize that I enjoyed coaching more than my regular shift at Decathlon. In February 2021, I decided to leave Decathlon and start my own coaching academy, so I could feel blessed and fulfilled every day 😊

What is the thing which you enjoy the most while taking a class?
I love who I become during my coaching sessions. I strive for professionalism, maintain discipline, and always do my best to be punctual for every lesson. I make a concentrated effort to understand the challenges my students face while learning, and I work diligently to help them overcome these difficulties. Seeing their smiles and sense of achievement after resolving their issues gives me immense satisfaction. Knowing that I played a part in their skate journey is incredibly rewarding. The respect my students show me deepens my passion for what I do and reinforces my love for coaching.

What various classes do you take like skateboarding/roller skating etc.
We specialize in skateboarding and skating, and we also offer a crash course in wave boarding. While our primary goal is to grow as a coaching academy, we understand the diverse opportunities within this culture. We plan to expand our offerings, incorporating various activities and ideas to enhance our academy and make a sustainable model around it.

Can you share some details about your classes and workshops:
Our primary location is the Carter Road Skate Park in Bandra, but we also provide classes across Mumbai to ensure widespread access to our coaching. We offer both regular and private lessons at our facility, as well as at your preferred location. For the first two lessons, you don’t need to purchase a skateboard, you can use academy’s board. After that, we recommend students bring their own boards for faster progression through regular practice. Our coaching is available for anyone aged 5 and above.

What is the story behind the name Formiga? How did you come up with this name?
In Portuguese, "Formiga" means "ant." I was given this name by my Capoeira master Mestre Chicote, who has decades of experience. In Capoeira, everyone receives a name based on their performance, behavior, and sometimes their joy or smile while practicing. He named me Formiga because I was small and thin back in 2011-12. Initially, I felt bad about it, thinking it was due to my looks and physique.
However, after COVID-19, when Mestre Chicote returned to India after nearly 3-4 years, he saw how much I had grown and the amount of work I was handling. He then asked me, "Now do you know why I named you Formiga?" I responded, "Because of the hard work that ants do?" He replied, "Yes." I was shocked and asked him, "Mestre, did you know 10 years ago that I would achieve all this in my life?" He told me, "I didn't know you would become a teacher, but I knew the level of responsibility you would take on and the hard work you would do." His words brought tears to my eyes, and I realized why he is called "Mestre," which means "Master." The name "Formiga" and the guidance of Mestre have played a significant role in changing my life. That's why we are named Formiga Roller Sports Academy.

I have seen you taking classes consistently without any breaks which I really respect. What does it take to do this?
Difficulties that I face in monsoon are significant, especially since I coach in Mumbai where we don't have facilities for the rainy season. As a result, I have to pause my regular classes and travel to different cities to continue learning from other skaters and coaches. During these trips, I attend workshops to help grow the community and assist other coaches in developing modules that enhance their students' performance.

Despite these challenges, I remain dedicated to my passion. I’m not in this scene to compete; I do this because it’s my primary focus and I haven't considered a Plan B. As I've mentioned before, I do this because I love it. Even on my days off, I skate to improve myself as a skater and coach, often helping local skaters at the park with technical aspects. Sometimes, I spend time researching ways to improve my coaching skills.

We also have team skate sessions to ensure strong bonding and happiness among us. The monsoon season is particularly tough because I rely on coaching for my livelihood, and it becomes challenging without proper facilities in some cities. However, my dedication of skating and coaching keeps me motivated to overcome these obstacles.

How do you tackle the influence of few individuals smoking and drinking if your kids/students are around? What is your point of view on this part which comes along with skateboarding?
Many people hold the misconception that skateboarders mostly drink and smoke, which is not entirely true. At Carter Road Skate Park in Mumbai, smoking and drinking were quite common, and some people even recommended the skate park to others as a place where they could smoke without consequences. I wasn’t aware of this initially because I live far from the park and usually leave early. However, other skaters later informed me about what had been happening. To ensure that no one engaged in these activities in the park, as it could negatively influence younger kids, I began to speak out against this behavior. Fortunately, the situation has improved. A group of us, including myself, confronted those creating an uncomfortable environment. Now, people use designated smoking zones, and none of the coaches smoke in front of their students or parents out of respect.

New skaters joining the community need to understand that they will encounter different types of people. It’s up to them to choose wisely what to be influenced by—either the positive qualities, like how well someone skates or their good nature, or the negative habits, like smoking.

What skateboarding means to you?
Skateboarding embodies individuality, offering a space where no one judges you based on your attire, appearance, or actions on the board. With no strict rules or regulations, it allows for free expression without fear of seeming odd.

When a skater makes a mistake while learning a trick, help from fellow skaters is almost immediate. Even with language differences, skaters understand each other through demonstrations and gestures, fostering strong connections among people from diverse backgrounds.

The skateboarding community is incredibly diverse, connecting individuals from various fields. Through skateboarding, I have met slackliners, tap dancers, surfers, snowboarders, and many others. Often referred to as "one of the coolest sports in the world," skateboarding in India, where it is relatively new compared to the US and Japan, sparks significant curiosity and excitement. Being a skateboarder sets you apart from the ordinary.

Moreover, skateboarding imparts valuable life lessons, teaching resilience, patience, and creativity.

What will be your message to all the new skaters who are just beginning how to skate?
I would advise new skaters not to be afraid to ask others in the park or on the street for help with a trick you're struggling with. In skateboarding, you don't have to follow what most skaters are doing. Instead, find the type of skating you enjoy and stick with that. As you improve, start helping others. Become part of the community and contribute to its growth.

I recently met a skater named Brendon Turner, who has been skating for about 40 years. He said something that really stuck with me: "Most skaters want something from skateboarding, but I feel we need to start giving to it, rather than taking from it."

Well that was it folks! Some great insights by Sameer on how to take classes in a professional way while maintaining the fun part and freedom of skateboarding. See you’ll again with a new story soon.

If you stay anywhere in and around Mumbai and want to learn skateboarding or roller skating than hands down you won't find anything better than this. In one line academy is professional, organized and fun :).
To get in touch with the academy - Formiga Roller Sports Academy

Keep Pushing, Keep Growing.
Vaibhav Rasam.

Also in Homies & Stories