Bob Groot is a familiar face in the Amsterdam skate scene. When he’s not out on his skateboard, he is delving into his spirituality. You can find him wandering in nature parks, talking to dogs or playing Pokémon Go. His exceptionally gregarious and approachable character makes him the perfect choice for a tete-a-tete. We meet at Toki, famous for its laidback charm and impeccable pour-over coffee.

How would you describe yourself to a stranger?

Hi, I’m Bob and I skate on my skateboard, or 'schaatsplank', whatever you want to call it. I’m thirty-three and one-third years old, and I am exactly the age I feel I should be.

What has been on your mind recently?

I want to fulfill my grandmother’s mission, which is keeping the family together. But that requires time, money and energy, as well as the freedom to travel. Because I know I will have to stay in Java for at least two weeks, I have family over there that I haven’t met yet. And then there’s the family on my father’s side as well. A lot of dots to connect.

At what age did you get into skateboarding?

I have no idea, you should ask my father that question. It must’ve been at a very young age, because it’s hard for me to remember. And I’ve been exploring the world since I was able to use my hands and feet. I do recall starting off with rollerblades, and I believe my first skateboard was purchased from a local thrift store in Purmerend.

It can be a dangerous sport to perform, what’s the wildest thing that ever happened to you?

Do you want to see actual scars? Because I have many. One time I fell on my forehead, that was a pretty big smack, and it caused quite a headache. I usually refer to my smackdowns as ‘moments where I hugged the floor’. Let me think, for a second. I once got hit by a bus, which was very intense. I have paid numerous visits to the emergency room. Let’s just say that glue, tetanus shots and stitches are my best friends.

What are you up to when you’re not skateboarding?

Just being out and about, working here and there, exploring the world. I do a lot of walking in my spare time. And meeting people, sometimes on purpose, sometimes not on purpose. Oh, and I perform Tai Chi.

How did you stumble upon the art of Tai Chi?

I can look up the exact date if you want. A friend of mine was given a Tai Chi course for his birthday, and my then-girlfriend encouraged me to participate because she recalled that I was interested in Tai Chi since age seventeen. That’s a long time ago, but since age thirty I started to look more into the theoretical background of Tai Chi. So I started practicing the movements, then moved to theory and now I’m trying to apply all the principles I’ve learned to other areas in life as well.

What has changed for you since you brought Tai Chi into your life?

Every person, every country has different ways of interpreting Tai Chi. I have devoted my time to the Chinese branch of Tai Chi, and the principles of Taoism. For me, it resembles going with the flow and accepting things that are bigger than yourself. Allowing the wind to determine your route, which is a great credo for skateboarding as well.