2024 was an exceptional year for inline skating. With the community slowly adjusting to some level of normalcy in a post-Covid world, skaters from all over are making the most of their time and enjoying life and all that comes with it. That often means spending time with friends and loved ones, traveling to new locations, and of course, strapping on the skates for a fun session. We decided to speak with some of Blading’s best and brightest stars to see what 2024 brought them.
EUGEN ENIN
Where did you start 2024?
As per usual the years starts with Winterclash for us and than it’s still a lot of indoor season due to the rainy spring out here. But this year I wanted to do another flat setup spring adventure that I started last year with my UC Alien Promo.
So once it finally got warmer we started working on that. Straight after finishing it we started the Schabernack series and planned a couple of video trips like the USD Stuttgart Benztown one, Copenhagen Sessions, Berlin Abriss and the Milano one.
Where did you end in 2024?
The year ended better than expected with less injuries, less pressure and more fun than last year. Probably because I decided to focus more on the video trips, comps and Schabernacks instead of our typical 1 year street profile madness. Hahahah
I finished everything we started and even did a couple of unexpected extra projects here and there like filming with ButterTV in Milano and a spontaneous last minute Hamburg Xmas Jam visit. This different approach for this year also gave me more time to put in a bit more work into my physical health to sustain a strong body for the future. So more than happy how this year worked out. For the upcoming year we got a couple of different projects in mind, a few product related ones but I can’t spoiler to much hahaha #soon
What are some of your favorite memories from this year?
-Embracing once again my creative side in the form of another flat setup profile was a lot of fun.
-Filming the early Schabernacks was a cringe but really fun experience.
-Skating the classic Stuttgart spots after more than 13 years was quite nostalgic and emotional to me.
-Fighting my fear of heights while splash diving with the USD fam in Copenhagen and witnessing Jonas’ James Bond style perfect header.
-Endless trips to the local lake with my girl and the homies.
-Experiencing the Snake Park DIY comp in Belgium.
-Seeing all the hard physical work finally paying off during the tours with endless energy and being able to take a beating. Even though I ripped my ass and dislocated my shoulder this year Hahahah
-Milano late nights, tipsy in the back of a baby fiat with my brother in crime Sam 
and the endless good talks we had with the locals!
-Abriss Berlin, always a good time 🙂
-Meeting both UA Tattoo Dimas in Berlin and Düsseldorf, always good times with them 🙂
-Powerslide 30 year anniversary party and meeting all the friends from all over the world again.
-My Hamburg Xmas Jam Wrestling performance, even though I bailed pretty hard on my ass lol.
-Cold AF indoor sessions with just my brother and my iPod.
What were some spots you traveled to this year?
Eindhoven, Bindlach, Stuttgart, Battice Copenhagen, Berlin, Milano, Hamburg.
What were some of your favorite musical artists or songs that you enjoyed this year?
-Tyler the Creator “Chromakopia”
-Dan Da Dan Opening
-Doechii “Alligator Bites Never Heal”
-OG Keemo – Süden (Level Space Edition)
-Ben Magaziner Curb Circle Radio play list
What are some photos or videos that sum up your experiences in 2024?
What did you wish you had done in the year but missed the opportunity?
I don’t regret a lot of things nowadays and rather try to learn from things and experiences. So I don’t have anything specific that felt like a missed opportunity but rather like the wrong moment for it. But usually there is always something else that will come instead so I patiently wait.
What is something that made you grow as a person this year?
-Dislocating my shoulder during spring right after I started putting in more work into exactly that issue due to last winters 2 hard shoulder injuries. It was the wake up call I needed to take this stuff finally more serious, learn to be more patient, humble and thankful for my body and finally learn how and when to rest.
-It was a harsh experience but it was worth it. Especially since my shoulder healed in no time and I came back stronger than ever hahaha There been lots of inspiring conversations I had with friends and locals and also some really good stuff I read that helped me improve some important things in my life like:
-Being more balanced with my energy and pushing myself less to the very limit and knowing when to say no to spots and situations in daily life.
-Appreciating life for the simple things and rather watching inwards for growth instead for external compensations, pleasures and distractions. Classic having less but being more stuff.
-Learning to like my true character more and more and finally embrace it authentically with less masking.
-Being more conscious on a daily base with even small tasks and things instead just surviving in a zombie mode.
-Improving emotion regulation.
What is something that kept you going or motivated you this year?
My girl, my brother, the blade homies like Sven, Jo and Tobi and all the people I had the pleasure to talk with.
What are you looking forward to in 2025?
The adventure of the unknown, trusting my way and intuition even more. Overcoming fear and boundaries. All the time I will spend with my loved ones.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more quality skate content.
