December 11th, 2012 - by Matthis

Amsterdam Week: Dick Heerkens Profile

Tags: action sports, aggressive inline, alyssa van veen, amsterdam, be-mag amsterdam week 2012, dick heerkens, dutch, extreme sports, gregory macousi, holland, interview, kenneth aidoo, martin wilhelmus, matthis lapaire, nederland, netherlands, patinaje extremo, rollerblading, rolling, rouler, ryan claus, skate, skating

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Here in Holland, we see Dick Heerkens as the Barack Obama of inline skating. And it’s not because he’s black or because he has a hot girlfriend. It’s not even because he is the president of rollerblading (that could be reason #2). Dick Heerkens is our Obama because he is so damn clever in front of the camera. Our perfect son-in-law-on-wheels is your best choice when you’re trying to introduce skating to a wider public, to get skating in the limelight of the media or to simply explain what a Fishbrain is to someone who’s never set foot in his local skatepark. Much like Barack, the 23-year old flow-rider for Rollerblade has a certain way with words that will make the most cautious girlfriends and auntie’s have respect for dropping hammers on kinkrails. Let Dick do the talking, people.

Introduction & Write-up by Ryan Claus
Edit by Matthis Lapaire & Gregory Macousi
Video Crew Alyssa van Veen, Martin Wilhemus & Kenneth Aidoo

When I ask Dick if it was the prostitution or the weed, he convinces me that he came to Amsterdam for school reasons back in 2007. Dick has been residing and skating in our beautiful capitol for the last five years, but he hasn’t always been this fortunate. The roots of Dick lie eastbound, as he was born and raised in the almost German town of Enschede alongside his fellow shredder and longtime friend Joery van de Pol (Razors flow). This is where Dick’s passions came to life: blading, friendships, and sniffing glue. Although I’m not sure if that last one is true. The two skaters have been influencing each other from day one to reach a high level, and it is safe to say they both succeeded. Many years later, Dick is happy that he can call himself an ‘Amsterdammer’. He has made many good friends, he lives in an incredible apartment in the heart of the centre (not jealous at all) and has even brought along his ladyfriend from his hometown to fully enjoy the city together. I am also happy that Dick is an Amsterdammer. He is a great addition to the scene here, and although I don’t see him that much, it feels good to have someone around who enjoys a street session once in a while. This new edit of him explains exactly why. We love you Dick!

-Ryan Claus