My Creative Bladers Journey – From Beverwijk to The Comeback

Where It All Began

My name is Andy Durge. I’m 27 years old and the founder of Creative Bladers — a project that started
as a passion and is now slowly becoming something much bigger than I ever imagined. But let’s rewind for a second.

I grew up in Beverwijk, a town in the Netherlands that might not look like much at first glance, but it’s where my journey truly started.
Skating gave me a way out, a voice, and a feeling of control. I remember spending hours after school hitting ledges, making DIY rails with friends,
and filming whatever we could. It wasn’t about being famous — it was about freedom.

Eventually, I realized something was missing. I didn’t just want to skate for myself — I wanted to give something *back*. That’s when the
idea for Creative Bladers was born. A brand, a platform, a community — whatever you want to call it — built by skaters, for skaters.

Life Beyond Skating: The Lifeguard Chapter

When I wasn’t on skates, I was in the water — literally. I spent five years working as a lifeguard at Center Parcs Zandvoort.
The job taught me discipline, patience, and how to stay calm under pressure. It might seem far from the world of skating, but both require awareness,
fast reactions, and a mindset focused on movement and safety.

I lived in Zandvoort during that time — a beautiful place by the sea, full of tourists and energy. But after a while, I needed a change.
About a year ago, I moved to a quiet camping site in ‘t Harde. It’s not glamorous, but it gave me a chance to reset and refocus.

Now, I’m working as a lifeguard at Center Parcs De Eemhof. Different location, same mission: to help people stay safe, to be present,
and to stay grounded. It’s physical work, but it balances my creative life — especially now that Creative Bladers is back.

The Creative Bladers Pause

I’m going to be real with you — I stopped working on Creative Bladers for a while. I was burnt out. I questioned whether people even cared about
aggressive inline skating anymore. The social media numbers were low, life was demanding, and honestly… I lost my spark.

But the thing with passion is: it never really leaves you. Even when I wasn’t posting, I was still skating. Still watching edits. Still sketching
designs in my notebook. The dream was never dead — it was just sleeping.

The Comeback: Two Months In

Around two months ago, I made a decision. I was done waiting for “the right moment.” I brought Creative Bladers back. And this time,
I’m building it with full heart. No holding back. No waiting for permission.

I’ve been posting again, writing new blogs, dropping fresh designs, and reconnecting with skaters across Europe. The messages I get,
the support, the shares — it reminds me why I started this. Not for likes, but for *legacy*. To show the world that skating never left.

Creative Bladers isn’t just a brand — it’s an expression of who I am and who we are as a culture. Skating is our voice, our therapy, our rebellion.

Looking Ahead: The Mission Continues

So what’s next? Honestly, everything. I want to keep building the blog, expanding the shop, and maybe even host some real-life events one day.
Creative Bladers has already connected with people from places I’ve never even been — that’s the power of skating and internet combined.

I also want to keep pushing the message: skating isn’t dead. It never was. It just needed a louder voice — and I’m here to help provide that.

If you’re still reading this, I just want to say thank you. Whether you’re a skater, a lifeguard, a dreamer, or all of the above — I appreciate you.
This community means everything to me, and we’re only getting started.