Skateboard

[Vince lau]

what about a device that can control the speed of the skate board, so when the kid is first learning it goes at a slow speed so that he/she can learn to balance and turn and stop, and once they get better you can adjust the speed

[sanddrag]

A regular skateboard with a really well done instructional video.

Or, a skateboard with a small gas-powered engine.

[Capt.ArD]

what about a device that can control the speed of the skate board, so when the kid is first learning it goes at a slow speed so that he/she can learn to balance and turn and stop, and once they get better you can adjust the speed

That's a really good idea! to pull it off, you just need some little rubber pads like from a bike's brake system, and attach then to either end of a screw-type assmbly placed parallel to the trucks, with one pad touching the inside edge of each wheel. when you tighten the screw, it pulls the two pads togther. loosen the screw, it pushes them apart. thus, you can control the speed of the board by adjusting the amount of pressure the little pads exert on the wheels.
or something like that.

this would also be good for training staionary moves (kickflip, etc) in a small place, where you don't want the board rolling off and you have to chase it.

for longboarding, i would suggest a type of handbrake system, so the kid could slow down the board on a hill without bailing.

[Collin Fultz]

Originally Posted by Vince lau

what about a device that can control the speed of the skate board, so when the kid is first learning it goes at a slow speed so that he/she can learn to balance and turn and stop, and once they get better you can adjust the speed

that's actually a really good idea...thanks!

[sciencenerd]

Originally Posted by Vince lau

what about a device that can control the speed of the skate board, so when the kid is first learning it goes at a slow speed so that he/she can learn to balance and turn and stop, and once they get better you can adjust the speed

How about... drumroll please... less steep hills! The natural way to control speed.

[greencactus3]

Originally Posted by sciencenerd

How about... drumroll please... less steep hills! The natural way to control speed.

actually no. the way i slowed down my speed was get gummier grease in the bearings. or just get mud or crap in them..... stupid target $10 skateboard.... *kicks at it*. oh well.
how about some releasable straps for the front foot? like soft ski ones. it falls off when it needs to. but itll help keep the kid on the board. oh but it has to swivel naturally a bit too... so hmm. velcro shoebottom and skateboard top?noo.... too grippy... try magnet? with electromagnetic switch in shoe so it can come off for kickflips and such?. be nice for massive gaps and such.

[Conor Ryan]

according to my brother who's in the target group he says that a regualr skateboard is easy to ride, even though he gets Bo-Bo's.

Some ideas he suggested:

• cool colors! (emphesis on cool)
• where to put your feet (markings help)
• Spinners

My Suggestions after watching him try to skateboard

• wider board, so its easier to stand on (wide wheel base)
• larger wheels with a low ground clearance would help a lot, think of an off-road board
• easy way to maintain speed once it gets going
• a speed limiter (make it adjustable for learning)
• something to keep it on the ground, 2nd graders don't need to be doing ollies and grinding on the curb