WORDS & PHOTOS | EDWIN TEGTMEYER @KNIPS.ED
LAYOUT | VISUAL DIRECTOR JONATHAN LABEZ @JMLABEZ
Abriss celebrated its tenth edition this year. What began as a small street contest grew steadily into one of the most important annual gatherings in European blading. It’s not a huge event (maybe a hundred people at most spots) but that is part of what makes it special. Abriss feels personal.Everyone is close — the line between skater, filmer, and spectator disappears.
To reflect that atmosphere, all of the photos from the weekend were shot on film. Working with analog cameras during a street contest means slower decisions and no second chances. The results carry the same raw and unpredictable energy that defines Abriss itself.
The weekend was supposed to begin with a night cruise on Thursday, followed by a poetry reading. Heavy rain forced us to change it up. Instead of rolling through the city, people gathered underground in an U-Bahn station.
The reading session went ahead in the shelter of tiled walls, trains sliding in and out whilst voices carried across the platform. Some skaters took to the smooth floor on the side, turning the space into a mix of words, tricks, and improvised noise.
Friday mixed skating and art. A casual session in the afternoon led into an exhibition at TPunkT Store, where artwork by bladers covered the walls. People drifted between prints and paintings, drank beer, and caught up with friends. It felt more like a house gathering than an opening (which suited Abriss perfectly.)
Saturday was the main event. The first stop — Kindl Brewery — was already a challenge. One long bank with a rough ledge on top pushed people to commit from the start.
The second spot was the traditional “worst spot best trick” mini contest. This time it was just a tiny roadside curb. Cars and bikes were forced to slow down, as a hundred people crowded the street. Honking and frustration from traffic only added to the atmosphere!
The third stop — Görli Rails —opened things up with more options. A long flat rail ran through the space, with a ping pong table, curbs, and side rails scattered about. The crowd spread out, filming and cheering in different corners until the weather forced us to to break.
The final spot raised the difficulty level. In front of East Side Mall stands a large quarter pipe structure. It invites huge airs and creativity.
Around the corner is a triple stair set with rails and ledges which demanded heavier costs to do. After three simpler spots, the jump in difficulty was a sharp contrast. The crowd pressed in tight, and every attempt on the triple set drew loud cheers that carried into the city.
Some standout names included Eugen Enin, Jo Zenk, Bastian Thüring, Michael Müller, Ognjen Milutinovic (Oggy), Wirasak Ickenroth, Karol Byrski, and Kate Bedrata. Each brought their own style to the day – creative lines to tricky manuevers on hard obstacles. The mash of approaches kept the crowd engaged and the energy high!
The weekend ended in a more relaxed way. At Tempelhofer Feld, the group gathered around the skate park. Split between the street section and the mini ramp. Some skaters took it easy. Others kept the session going. The light and social atmosphere was the right balance after Saturday’s intensity.
Ten years in, Abriss is still growing at its own pace. It doesn’t need large crowd numbers to matter. It’s strength is the atmosphere it brings every year. The togetherness of the crowd, the mix of locals and visitors, the way the city becomes a playground for all of us. This tenth year of Abriss shows once again this contest is not about results, it’s about keeping the scene alive, together, and moving.
— Eddie (@knips.ed)
