A little nostalgia, a lot of personality, and a design that's entirely his own. Meet Gert, the kitesurfer who turned decades of memories, creativity and individuality into a one-of-a-kind Harlem Thrive.
For some riders, a kite is all about performance. For others, it's also a canvas for self-expression. For Gert, it's both.
After 11 years of kitesurfing, Gert still describes it as the most enjoyable and spectacular sport he's ever taken up — even beating snowboarding, which, he admits, says a lot.
But alongside his passion for the water, Gert has always had a creative side. He runs a small business where he prints his own designs on clothing and wetsuits, creates decals for surfboards and explores different ways to bring his ideas to life.
And for years, he'd been dreaming of putting his own design on a kite.
The Story Behind Biek®!
At the heart of Gert's custom Thrive is Biek®!, his own registered brand and a design deeply rooted in his personal history.
The name goes all the way back to the 1970s, when Gert and his friends used the word Biek to describe something really cool or awesome.
Decades later, he decided to bring it back, officially registering the name and creating a logo that captures his unconventional spirit.
Even the smallest details have meaning.
The logo incorporates a stylised @ symbol, with the letters curving in opposite directions — a subtle reflection of Gert's non-conformist personality. The typography is Candice, a distinctly 1970s typeface that takes him straight back to his childhood.
And then there's the artwork itself.
Starting with ocean waves, the colourful graphics gradually transition into nature on land, representing its different facets and changing seasons. For Gert, these elements also reflect the emotions and experiences that have shaped his life.
It's bold, colourful, nostalgic and unmistakably personal.
As Gert puts it:
"This is me, this is my style, my taste — the one true style that suits me."
From an Idea to a One-of-a-Kind Kite
Turning that vision into reality wasn't quite so straightforward.
Gert had experimented with printing on kite fabric himself, but nothing adhered properly. After several unsuccessful attempts, he eventually put the idea aside.
That changed when he discovered that Harlem can execute exactly what he envisioned.
Thanks to the digital printing capabilities, Gert could finally bring his vision to life without compromising the artwork.
Unlike traditional kite construction, where graphics are often limited by sewn panels and conventional branding, digital printing opens up entirely new creative possibilities. From intricate illustrations and detailed graphics to personal artwork and logos, it allows riders to make their gear genuinely their own.
For Gert, that freedom was exactly what he'd been looking for.
"My design was executed beautifully and precisely — no compromises whatsoever."
And his reaction when he first saw the finished kite?
"WOW!!!!!! Amazing! My own unique kite — exactly as I'd envisioned it, without compromise."
A Personal Connection That Goes Beyond the Design
There's another reason this kite means so much to Gert.
His home spot is Brouwersdam in the Netherlands, where he keeps an old-school caravan — naturally, also in 1970s style.
It's a place full of memories. Gert spent his childhood summers there with his parents, who have since passed away. Today, he continues returning to the same stretch of coastline, now with a kite in his hands.
In many ways, his custom Thrive brings these different parts of his life together: the place where he grew up, his love for the ocean, his creative identity and his appreciation for everything retro.
It's not necessarily about attracting attention on the water.
"It's not that I necessarily want to stand out or anything; I just think it's fantastic to be able to surf with my own design and brand. Even if everyone else thinks it's ugly or hideous — I love it!"
And that's exactly the point.
Your Kite. Your Story.
For us at Harlem, projects like this show what's possible when performance meets personal expression.
A custom kite is not always about promoting a business or making a statement. Sometimes, it's simply about riding something that feels completely yours.
Whether it's a personal design, a brand identity or an idea you've had for years, our custom printing capabilities give you the freedom to bring it to life.
Ready to make it yours?
Discover Harlem Custom Kites and bring your own design to life.
