16-year-old Bart Buikman has become a well-known name in the European skateboard scene. He won this year the Dutch Bowl Championships and he places himself high in big competitions like Simple Session and Far’n High. Bart is also sponsored by some well-known brands like Volcom, Circa, Santa Cruz, Independent, Ricta, Bronson, Mob, and Rollin Amsterdam. Surely, we are going to hear from him a lot! So we did an interview with Bart which you can read below.
We all got into skating because of somebody-who got you into it?
I got a skateboard for my 10th birthday from a friend and then we started skating at a little skatepark in my hometown Edam. My friend stopped skating pretty soon and started playing football but I already met a lot of guys to hang out with. Then someone told me there was a great indoor skatepark in Amsterdam. I met a lot of great skaters and I wanted to become as good as them.
What’s your first set and trick?
My first set-up was a speed-demon… Haha!! My first trick was an ollie.. but I think that’s the first trick of almost everyone. 🙂
My first “real” trick was a kickflip. I was proud of that because I spend a lot of hours practicing on the sidewalk.
Your first ad and/or hookup (brand or shop)?
The first brand I got sponsored by was Volcom Netherlands. Rob Rouleaux (a great photographer from Holland) put me in touch with the distributor; Jeroen Bazuin. He thought I was sick and got me a deal!
After I got a sponsor deal I was asked to ride for a skate shop in Amsterdam named Reprezent (now the name changed into Rollin).
What’s your highlight in skating up to this point?
My highlight was this year in Estland. I participated in Simple Session and made it to the finals with great skaters like Filipe Gustavo, Robin Bolian, Vincent Milou, Chase Webb, Adrien Bulard, Greg Lutzka, and Maxime Kruglov!
And of course, this interview is a highlight 😉
What’s your favorite spot (city, country, DIY) to shred and why?
My favorite city to shred is Rotterdam in my own country. There’s not especially one spot that I like to skate, because Rotterdam has a lot of different sick spots. Everybody can shred and have fun! Rotterdam also has a few cool outdoor skateparks where I and my friends hang out sometimes…
A spot you wish you could skate but never did?
I want to skate the spot at the Hollywood High School in Los Angeles! I think the rail and the stairs are sick!
Who in your crew deserves some shine and why?
There are a lot of persons around me who deserve some shine so that’s a hard question.
At this moment I think it’s Rob Rouleaux! He’s a great photographer and makes the best pictures! I know him since I was eleven years old and he became a good friend. He’ s always there for me when I need some support or have a question…he just helps me with a lot of things!
A few years ago he also had an online skate magazine called trueskateboardmagazine…maybe you know him… haha.
I also think Jeroen Bazuin deserves some shine. He sponsors me and had some hard times so I wish him the best of luck!!
If your not skating-what else do you like to do?
When I’m not skating I like to chill with my friends. We watch skate videos’ s on youtube and play Skate 3, GTA 5 and Farcry 4 on the PlayStation.
What’re your plans for the next 12 months?
Next 12 months: SKATE!!
First I’m going on a trip to Berlin and Prague with my team! It’s my first real team trip so I’m very hyped.
After the trip, I’ m going to skate the street a lot with my friends and visit some contests in Europe this summer.
I’ m also going to shoot some street pictures and footage in Belgium.
Another plan I have is to visit Sewa Kroetkov in Los Angeles. I know him from Skatepark Amsterdam and he’s sponsored by the same skate shop as me.
Maybe he can get me to the spot I wish to skate!
Anything you want to say to the upcomers or any shout-outs?
I want to thank everyone around me who makes it possible for me to skate everyday and travel around Europe. Especially; Volcom, Circa, Santa Cruz, Independent, Ricta, Bronson, Mob,
the people from Rollin Amsterdam, Solid’93(distribution), Rob Rouleaux and also my parents.
To the upcomers:
Be yourself, have fun and SKATE every day!!!
