2024 has been 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.
MARTIN DANNING
Where did you start 2024?
By the beginning of the year I was planning the Winterclash / Portugal trip with Mesmer and was spending a couple days a week at the local indoor skatepark. Having to skate the same park for several years in a row can be pretty boring, but it’s also kinda nice because we only got one place to meet up, so there isn’t much room for discussion on where to skate.
Where did you end in 2024?
As for 2024 I would’ve liked to have more video projects out, but it has honestly been a year where personal situations has taken most space, and skating was something I needed to do just to feel good. Although I do feel like I’ve grown a lot skating wise this year, and I believe that comes from just skating and having fun with it. I got two new parts with Orange Wheel Co. coming out early in 2025. One of them was filmed in Canada and the other in Oslo. Pretty stoked to get those out!
What are some of your favorite memories from this year?
Some of my favorite memories this year was definitely having Immony Men and Diomar Velasquez from Orange Wheel Company visiting Oslo. Was so fun to skate here with them! Another really good memory was the CPH B-Roll. It’s just an amazing event and city (Copenhagen). Ended up partying until 6 am that night…
What were some spots you traveled to this year?
I really enjoyed some of the spots I saw and skated in Portugal. I play this video game called Skater XL and whenever I see a spot I played in the game in real life, I get pretty stoked.
What were some of your favorite musical artists or songs that you enjoyed this year?
My year was all about Kurt Vile this year! If I had to pick the best album of the year, it would be “Frog In Boiling Water” by DIIV. I also definitely enjoyed my Brat Summer haha…
Kurt Vile | Tiny Desk Performance
“Frog In Boiling Water” by DIIV
What are some photos or videos that sum up your experiences in 2024?
What were some goals that you accomplished this year?
Didn’t have much goals skating wise this year, but I’m happy with what me and my homie Herman have done music wise! We released our first music and played our first shows and have just in general learnt more about music.
Check out Martin’s band Zero Bats on Spotify
What did you wish you had done in the year but missed the opportunity?
Thats a hard one…of course I would like to be everywhere there’s something blading related stuff happening, but thats not really realistic. I do wish i got to spend some time with Marc, and film something like we did last year, but things just didn’t line up.
What is something that made you grow as a person this year?
I lost my Dad this summer, and that definitely made everything that I got in my life more important. Everything from skating, friends, memories and everyday situations have become more important than it ever was.
What is something that kept you going or motivated you this year?
What motivates me the most is actually skating with the homies here in Oslo. Most of the scene is getting a little bit older, but there’s a few homies my age who started skating. Seeing them leveling up so quick and the way they interpret blading and modern blading js so inspiring! Especially my homie Eskild! And of course being a part of Mesmer, working with Marc (Moreno) and the support they show me motivates me on a broader level.
What are you looking forward to in 2025?
For 2025 I’m looking forward to hopefully travel more, and release more videos. I already got two parts for Orange Wheel Company coming out in early 2025 which I am excited about.. for now though, I’m just looking forward for the snow to melt!
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