For the 83rd daily installment of Big Wheel Blading’s Inline Skating and Life During COVID-19 series we talk to Sem Croft. Sem is a 24-year-old inline skater and freelance graphic designer living in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
What steps did The Netherlands take to battle COVID-19 and how are things there now?
We weren’t placed under lockdown but most stores were closed. Only essential stores like supermarkets were allowed to stay open. We are required to keep 1.5 meters (5 feet) of distance between each other or you will receive a €400 ($447 USD) fine. Now some stores have been allowed to reopen, but the government still recommends that if you don’t really need something then just stay at home.
Were you skating during the COVID-19 lockdown? Are you skating now?
Yes I was because they allowed us to go outside with a minimum amount of people, at first it was 2, now its 10 people max. And since I didn’t have much work I ended up skating quite a lot.
Cess sliding into the transition.
Where were you skating?
Most of the time I would skate Rotterdam and sometimes I would visit other cities like Amsterdam or the Hague
Is there anything that would make you stop skating?
If the government made me stay inside or if I broke a leg.
Koningsdag 2018 | Mind The Gap | Photo by Jeff Hofstede
Are you doing any cross training?
I do a bit of training but not a lot. I just try to keep my body fit so it can take some falls.
What other activities are you doing to occupy your time?
Not much else then skating, I still can do some freelance work when I’m not skating.
AO unity in the bowl. Photo by Mei Oele.
How has COVID-19 affected your normal everyday life?
For me it didn’t really change my life that much, just a bit less work while giving me more time to go out and skate.
What are your major concerns right now and looking into the future?
Everything seems to be going well at the moment, I just hope it will get better as fast as possible and everybody can go back to their normal lives.
How is your local skate community responding?
Some of them still go out and skate with one or two friends but no big sessions for now.
Do you have anything you’d like to add?
Cavin Brinkman has been stacking clips of a lot of dutch rollerbladers and is making a movie out of it. It’s called “plastic pushers” and will be dropping August 3rd. So give it a follow on Instagram @plastic_pusher_the_movie to stay up to date!
Filming and skating in the flaming sun for Plastic_Pusher_The_Movie.
Photos by Adam Szymanski.
Links
- Follow Sem Croft on Instagram.
- Go to Inline Skating and Life During COVID-19 to read more interviews from skaters from around the world.
- Go to Essential Workers – Inline Skaters on the Front Lines of COVID-19 to read about inline skaters from around the world who are considered Essential Workers.
- For our full COVID-19 coverage go here.
- Contact Big Wheel Blading for any questions, suggestions, story ideas or to contribute content.
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Header photo by Cavin Brinkman
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