Every parent knows there is nothing quite like the feeling of watching their child succeed at something, especially when that something is a shared interest within the whole family. The moment Daniel De Gaye knew he had a child on the way, he knew he wanted to teach them how to skateboard.
Skateboarding was created in the 1950s by surfers who wanted to continue to ride the feeling of catching a wave when surf conditions were less than ideal. Nothing killed the day like a flat ocean or a poor swell period. This inspired surfers to swap their surfboards for a new contraption that was nothing more than a shorter board with four metal wheels attached. Instead of hitting the water, they were hitting asphalt. But skateboarding was more than just cruising around and practicing for the water. It became a lifestyle and its own movement.
By 1959 the toy industry had caught wind of the board with wheels. Roller Derby designed, engineered, and released the first official skateboard with technical developments allowing for the improvement of handling characteristics. As a result, there was a newfound balance and confidence among skateboarders. Now they were capable of putting their flair on their ride by having the ability to do several different tricks and maneuvers they struggled to do previously. These key design improvements ended up changing the skateboard’s categorization from toy to sports equipment.
Although the categorization changed, younger people and kids were still eager to try their hand, or in this case, foot, at skateboarding. Over the last 60 years, there has been improvement after improvement and redesign after redesign. Now there are “two major categories of skateboards- longboards and shortboards-and within those categories. There are twelve varieties designed to cater to different body types, riding styles, and aesthetic preferences,” according to Masterclass.
In 2016 the Ookkie was created with one goal in mind – to help children learn to skateboard earlier. And he did just that. Children as young as ten months old have started their skateboarding journey with Ookkie. As a father and skateboarder himself, Daniel wanted to teach his son how to ride a board safely whilst also developing fundamental balance, stability and confidence.
The Ookkie is different from the average skateboard as it is the first learner skateboard, with a patented handle designed to help children gain confidence and improve balance. This unique skateboard is all about combining fun and aiding in the developmental stages of skateboarding.
Key design features were carefully incorporated into the Ookkie Skateboard that helps promote safety, balance, stability, and confidence in its users. Attached to the board are two handles; one handle for the child to hold onto for balance and stability and another handle for the parent to help guide and control the board. It is unsure who enjoys it more: the young rider mastering skateboarding for the first time or their proud parents pushing them along!
Another design feature of the Ookkie is the 58mm soft and smooth wheels that help glide over sidewalk cracks and imperfect terrain with ease. Additionally, the board is height adjustable, so you can find the right position for both child and parent.
The best part about The Ookkie Skateboard is that as their confidence and skills develop, the child can progress to riding without the safety handles until the board is just a perfectly functional skateboard. Quality products and safety are Ookkie’s number one priority, and Safety Sets are proudly Australian-designed and made from high-quality materials.
While there are a number of different skateboards on the market, children of all ages, shapes and sizes have found their Ookkie Skateboard learning experience to be a successful and rewarding one. Ookkie is incredibly proud of the diverse range of families that have enjoyed the Ookkie Skateboard thus far and are extremely confident that your experience will be a positive one too!
The Ookkie is available to shop on Amazon and at Ookkie.com.
