It would be nice if I could keep skating until I'm 30

When I was 18 I gave this interview where I said, "It would be nice if I could keep skating until I'm 30." Back then I thought those were the best skating years of my life. Now at 44 I realize I was just getting started. Skating has stayed a big part of my life—teaching, riding, performing and creating different events.

Finding this old article reminded me of those early dreams. Here’s a quick look at what kept me busy last year and what’s coming up this year for me in the skating scene

Winterclash - 20th Anniversary Edition | Couple 2024 clips - HERE

Last year I had the chance to compete in Winterclash one of the biggest events in the inline skate world. This year marks its 20th anniversary and it’s already sold out— five months ahead of time! I’m excited to be back and represent Rollerblade/Blank. We’ll also have a custom Blank-branded obstacle on the course which is going to be interesting to skate and watch. Looking forward to keeping Winterclash as my go-to contest each year!?

Grand Prix 2024 - New Concept | Video - HERE

Last year we kicked off a new event concept at the World Skate Center with a big focus on community participation. We organized private 2-hour sessions for 15 different skate crews where they each made their own video edit. Each crew had to use five car tires in a creative way in their videos. Over 100 skaters joined in making it a truly special event.

This year we’re adding an extra day to the event on March 28-29 and teaming up with some of my old students which makes it even more meaningful. This project is all about putting Den Bosch on the map in collaboration with DUKEBOX ! Grand Prix instagram - HERE?

Interview I did with for the Dukebox YT channel about the Grand Prix - HERE

30 Years of Skating with Rollerblade in 2025

I’ve been riding on Rollerblade skates since 1995 and since 2008 I’ve had the chance to support them in marketing, social media, content production and team management. This work has been a stable part of my career making it possible for me to pursue all my other skate-related projects. This year will be a big milestone: 30 years on Rollerblade skates while the company itself celebrates 45 years! I’m incredibly grateful for this journey and for being part of the Rollerblade family.

ISH Premiere in Asia | explained - HERE

A big moment last year was our Asian premiere of the show Elements of Freestyle with ISH Dance Collective . We brought the show to Hong Kong and Shanghai with six amazing performances. Bookers from different countries were there and with all the interest 2025 is looking very exciting! We’re confirmed for shows in Mainz, Germany, Norway, Brisbane, the Sydney Opera House in June and now also Taiwan & Singapore.

Zwarte Cross - Mind the Gap Show | VIDEO - HERE

Since 2018 we’ve been performing “Mind the Gap” shows at Zwarte Cross the largest festival in the Netherlands. Our show is set in the Noaberhood a hip-hop themed area combining skate action with hip-hop music. It’s a three-discipline show with inline skaters, BMX riders, and scooter athletes all taking part. We’re excited to keep the momentum going and return in 2025!

World Skate Judging - Rome

Last year I was honored to be one of five judges at the World Skate skate Park and Street World Championships in Rome. It was a live judging setup with a very professional organization that made the experience rewarding for both judges and skaters. The event held every two years brought together the world’s top inline skaters. In 2026 it will be moving to the Middle East expanding the sport’s global reach and who knows maybe one day inline skating will make it to the Olympics!

2024 Park Video | Video - HERE

Despite an ankle injury that’s limited my street skating for the past two years I’m still staying active in park skating which continue to be a fun part of skating for me.

Amsterdam 750 Celebration @Ziggo Dome | Video - HERE

Last year with ISH Dance Collective we celebrated Amsterdam’s 750th birthday by performing in front of 15,000 people at the Amsterdam 750 . The event was also broadcast live on NPO1 giving the new generation of skaters an unforgettable chance to perform on one of the biggest stages. It was great to team up with Marco Gerris and ISH once again—our first shows together go back to 2004 with 4-ISH. Working together for so many years has been an incredible journey.

Skate Classes at World Skate Center - Tosti Club Cup

Since 2007 I’ve been running weekly skate classes at the World Skate Center center in Den Bosch and I’m proud to have taught several generations of skaters. At the end of each year we hold a local contest called the Tosti Club Cup bringing students and experienced skaters together for a fun, friendly competition. The name "Tosti Club" comes from a popular street spot in Den Bosch near a Tosti restaurant. We also have a local Instagram page showing clips from different riders around Den Bosch keeping our skate community connected. Instagram - HERE

English translation of the article

It would be nice if I could keep skating until I'm 30

DEN BOSCH – At home in Den Bosch, summer has not yet arrived, but Sven Boekhorst has a sun-kissed tan from his participation in skate competitions in California’s San Diego. Since May of this year, the eighteen-year-old from Den Bosch has become the first professional skater in the Netherlands. He has stopped his vocational administrative education and now participates in competitions worldwide. He won’t become a millionaire from it. “But it never gets boring. I’ll keep going as long as I enjoy it and as long as my knees hold up.”

A few fresh scrapes on his arms come with the occupational hazards of being a skater. “Falling is part of it,” says the professional skater. “And so far, I’ve been lucky. The worst was a bone splinter that popped off my hip. It healed on its own in a few weeks. Once, I dented my shinbone. The funny thing is I still don’t know how it happened. That injury bothered me for two weeks because it got infected.” Sven bought his first pair of skates four years ago, with four wheels in a row—not to be confused with traditional roller skates. “I just used them to go to school and skate around the neighborhood. Later, we started practicing tricks at a local skate park. About a year later, an indoor skate park opened in Den Bosch. It was covered, so we could practice even in the rain, and they had a real half-pipe.” Protection

A half-pipe, often used in skate competitions, looks like a sliced-open tunnel. The skater rolls from edge to edge and performs jumps at the highest points (three and a half meters high). A jury evaluates the jumps based on difficulty and creativity. As protection, the skater wears a helmet, knee, shin, and hip pads. The baggy pants that skaters wear are not just a fashion statement; they accommodate all this protective gear. “Elbow pads are uncomfortable,” explains Boekhorst. “I only use them when I’m trying out new tricks.”

His professional career started somewhat accidentally. “At a birthday party, there was a small competition. Someone from the skate company Rollerblade was there, and that’s how it all started.” Rollerblade manufactures skates, clothing, shoes, and caps and sponsors a European skate team. “This year, I officially joined them. They first had me participate in an international competition in Zug, Switzerland, to see how I performed. Since then, I’ve been part of the team.” Education

Boekhorst is the only Dutch member of the team, which also includes two Swiss skaters, two Spaniards, a German, a Frenchman, and a Slovenian. He quit his vocational education, which his parents initially struggled with. “But now they’re okay with it. For me, it wasn’t a hard decision. I didn’t really enjoy the program. Hopefully, in the coming years, I’ll find something I’m passionate about.” He wants to continue skating professionally until he’s thirty—if his knees hold out. “The knees and the back have to absorb the impact of the jumps.”

Medical supervision in skating is almost non-existent. “It’s your own responsibility. If you don’t take care of yourself, you could be worn out by the age of 22. But the guy who just won the competition in San Diego is 26. He’s never had any issues and can keep going for years. That gives me confidence for the future.”