RipStik Caster Board

My seven year old daughter begged for the ripstick after trying out a friend's. Within a few days she was able to get on it without help and is now pretty proficient at going distances. She loves it and uses it every day. In order to become proficient, she started by holding onto the car in our garage and maneuvered around it in circles. This allowed her to hold onto something and have a place to catch herself if she felt she was going to fall. Within a week, she didn't need the car anymore. Haven't got on it myself but with all the wiggling needed to stay on it and keep moving, it looks like great exercise.

I bought this for my son for the holidays (and yes I gave it to him early). At first he couldn't go more than a few feet. Then, if he got his foot placement just right he went further but couldn't turn. Now he can go pretty far and make wide turns. Of course, he's still not satisfied he wants to make sharp turns but his progress is moving along at a pretty good pace. All together I'd say he's spent a total of 3.5 hours on it so I'm pretty impressed. I bought the rip stick instead of "The Wave" because it was cheaper and the wheels are more readily available. We haven't had to replace them but if the other reviews are right I will be needing them sooner rather than later. The price was right on Amazon, it came packaged great, and was shipped quick (and with super saving shipping for free). What I can't understand is why all these people are on auction sites (yes you know which one) bidding $130 and upwards plus $30 for shipping when its much cheaper here. What am I not getting? It is Nov. 23, 2008 and I haven't had to replace the wheels on this as my son said they are still fine. When first bought I guess he weighed about 108 and now he is about 115 pounds. Maybe the heavier you are the worse for wear on the wheels. I can tell you that now he is an expert and does all kind of stops that I thought for sure would ruin the wheels. It hasn't. Whatever he is doing it's working. My son uses this almost everyday too. So if anyone can figure out why some wheels last 2 weeks and others have lasted over a year, please let us know.

I really liked it my dad bought it for me and this is my second ripstik, my first one, dlx mini, it's wheel got worn. This one is big and it is good, there is also a good discount, so it is worth the $$. It is a fun way to pass time and do some exercise.

I bought this after learning how to ride on my friend's. I had never heard of it before, since I spent most of 2007 here in Baghdad. Long story short, I spent a few hours getting the hang of it, and now I can ride proficiently enough to do wheelies and skids consistently. This Ripstik is the first (skate) I've ever learned to ride, and it is FAR easier than rollerskates or a skateboard, despite the physics. Maybe being a skilled sportbiker helped that. Easy to learn, good exercise, and as far as durability...well, mine has been stunted, thrashed, dropped, and ridden around an airport regularly...by SOLDIERS...in Iraq. The wheels will wear out somewhat quickly if you're aggressive, on the heavy side, or ride constantly. My first wheels lasted about 3 weeks before a noticeable increase in the resistance to turn and accelerate. Excellent product, and a lot of fun, for all ages!

Now, this WAS NOT EASY FOR ME to get started on. It did take six or more sessions on it. I talked to multiple kids just on my own street who owned one they weren't using because they had given up. It is challenging enough that I can understand that many people would give up before sticking through to the reward of getting good and experiencing the joy of this. (My own son might have given up if I didn't learn first and keep encouraging and telling him how fun it was). Okay, but once you get it... SO FUN. I am a 41-year-old Mom, not someone you would expect to see out in the streets on a board. But I am out on it daily (actually at least once a day), because IT IS JUST THAT MUCH FUN. IT does indeed feel like you are snowboarding. Once you can get good (which again, takes awhile) and can manage the slight downhills... Carving through them is such a thrill! Honestly, like the thrill of snowboarding, but you can just walk outside and do it on any nice day without needing a snow mountain, expensive board, and lift ticket. I mean, how cool is that? The fun of an extreme sport for such little money. JUST AWESOME.

it was a Xmas gift for a 54yo but he made me return it as he said he wouldn't try it and get hurt so we didn't even take out of the original package...oh well..my bad.

This is no doubt a very good outdoor toy. It has to be used on level surface or very mild incline. Begin by trying to do downhill first. Certainly easier for a child or short person to master more easily. It only has two wheels so you need very good balancing skills. It is lots of fun once you get comfortable using it. Highly recommended for someone with good balancing skills. My Son learnt using it in just one day. He had tried using the regular skateboard before but was not comfortable with it. But used the same balancing skills on this and became proficient quickly.

I bought the ripstik for my grandson's 11th birthday in November. I wasn't sure exactly how it worked, until I took it out of the box. When I saw it, I was terrified! I just knew that this was above him in skills. He's beginning to use a skate board, so I didn't think he couldn't use this ripstick. However, it was close to his birthday and I knew he wanted it and I gave it. It took him about 30 minutes to learn how to use it and he LOVES it. He's on it daily. He's not a pro yet, but is doing great. I thought it would just be too hard for him to control, but NOT. Guess that's youth for you. I do recommend it. I didn't like the fact though, that on the box, it clearly shows a YOUNG child using it, but the inside directions say not for FIVE or under.