Arend Bloem

Arend Bloem combined canoeing with running his own supermarket, which he opened in 1969, after having worked in his parents’ store. His greatest international success came in 1974, when together with Lo Jacobs he qualified for the final of the K2 500 m at the 1974 World Championships in Mexico, and placed 6th. The same duo competed also at the 1976 Olympic Games. They were eliminated in the semi-finals of the 500 m, and repêchages of the 1,000 m.

In 1983, Bloem sold his supermarket and bought a water sports store in Zaandam. He soon expanded the store with a special canoe/kayak section. He later moved the store to his native Wormer. Bloem sold the water sports store, to focus on the canoe/kayak center, which he eventually transferred to his son Arjan.