Hawk to skate India's first official demo

Getty ImagesHawk takes Quiksilver skate demo to Mumbai, India.

On Saturday, the 'Tony Hawk and Friends' show will drop into Mumbai, India, for what sponsor Quiksilver is calling the first-ever skateboarding demo in the world's second-most populous country.

While pro skateboarders including Kenny Hughes, Kenny Reed and Walker Ryan have explored and skated India in the past, no official demonstration has ever been held in the country. Along with Hawk, Kevin Staab, Andy MacDonald, Sam Bosworth and Mitchie Brusco will skate a nearly 15-foot high halfpipe assembled for this event specifically.

Set to go down on grounds behind the Dhirubhai Ambani International School, along the banks of the Mithi River, the event coincides with Quiksilver's expansion into a country with a population near 1.2 billion that is roughly a third of the size of the United States. Quiksilver recently opened three retail stores in India.

The venue was chosen because of space and access. "This location was the best in terms of logistics set up," said Maïder Ugartemendia, spokesperson for Quiksilver Europe. "And [there are] a lot of schools and students around." Ugartemendia did not specify how many spectators the venue could accommodate.

After a busy stretch touring the East Coast for the Birdhouse tour that began in Miami in late August and culminated with a vert demo at Manhattan's Pier 54 of the Hudson River Park in New York City, Hawk has kept a low profile. Hawk held two "Stand Up For Skateparks Benefit" fundraisers -- one in Beverly Hills in October, another in Las Vegas in November. In 2010, Hawk and company hit Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom as part of a four-stop European tour.