Holiday Gift Guide: Rockboard Scooter {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Julieh!}

A little over 10 years ago, the concept of the scooter was introduced to the outdoor scene.

Suddenly it wasn't cool to do something like walk, you needed to be zipping along on your own little wheeled platform.

But, let's be completely honest here. In the past 10 years, when you've seen something like this, does it really look like it's all that exciting? Really?

Maybe I'm just being critical, but look at that thing. It's small, it's flimsy, and its singular use is to put one foot on, and then push and glide, push and glide, push and glide every few feet.

I'll stick with walking, thanks.

Unless you're talking about a scooter that's not just a simple scooter. Because if you're talking about the next generation of scooter, one that is versatile, built to last, comfortable, and includes the most fun propulsion technology around, then I'll definitely take that ride.

In that case, you're talking about the innovative and original Rockboard Scooter.

Unique and unlike anything I've seen before, the Rockboard Scooter is a hybrid that combines the drive-chain propulsion of a bicycle with the practicality of a kick-scooter. As well as providing a way to be used as a traditional push scooter, it gives you the option of using a rocking motion to propel yourself forward continuously at speeds up to 10 miles per hour. The faster you rock up and down, the faster it goes!

The Rockboard Scooter is available in the Original size for ages 8+ (up to 200 pounds) and a Mini version, for ages 5+ (up to 90 pounds). You can easily get the entire family zooming down the block!

When the Original Rockboard Scooter arrived, I was more than excited to open the box and try this entertaining ride out for myself.

The first thing I noticed was something that I always love to see: nearly no assembly required. The whole scooter was already put together and only needed to be unfolded into its open position and it was ready to ride.

Other than hooking the two handlebar pieces together and customizing the height of it so that it is just right for you, the main adjustment knob at the base of the scooter determines which mode you are placing it in (classic push-scooter or super-cool propulsion). After tightening that into place...

...I was ready to rock!

NOTE: For safe scooting, Rockboard encourages all riders to wear proper safety gear, including helmets. I was just too excited to find one.

The first time I gave the Rockboard Scooter a push, I wobbled around on it so much that I wasn't sure that I would ever have enough balance to actually go for a ride. However, after another attempt or two, I had the hang of it and was amazed at just how easy it was to shift my weight from my front foot to my back foot to keep the entire thing moving.

You've really got to try this!

If you're reading this in your inbox, come over to the post to see the video!

With the generous size of this scooter, how easy it is to ride (once you try it, you'll find that keeping your balance is just like riding a bike), the convenience of the hand brake, and how extremely fun it is overall, you really will be hooked. It began to snow on the day my husband was taking video and pictures for me and I told him he could go back inside but I wanted to keep on riding!

From day one, everything about the Rockboard Scooter has proven to be high quality, well-designed, and made to last for years of active fun - I have yet to want to set this aside to gather dust.

Not only have I been impressed with just how much fun this is when I'm rocking it back and forth and zooming down the street, I appreciate how quickly I am able to switch from the Rockboarding mode to the low-profile kick scooter mode. By pulling out the quick-release knob right under the platform...

...pushing down on the rear of the rockboard and changing the adjustment knob from the red to the blue setting...

...you can now place one foot on the rockboard and push with the other to enjoy your leisurely ride. For tweens that are still getting used to shredding the pavement, being able to switch to traditional scooting offers a way for them to still be comfortable or take a break when needed. I love the idea of having two scooters in one!

Plus, when it comes time to put your Rockboard Scooter away, it only takes a few more minutes to fold it up and lock it closed for easy storage. It is quite a bit heavier than other scooters, but then again, other scooters don't have anywhere near the really cool technology that this one does.

Whether your holiday shopping list contains a teen that could use a reason to get out and get more exercise, a college student that would be thrilled at a mode of transportation to zip across campus, or an adult who would love a little outdoor entertainment, the Original Rockboard Scooter would make an amazing gift.

Retailing for $200 at retail locations worldwide or online from Target.com or Amazon, the Rockboard Scooter comes in white, orange, blue and pink (the Mini Scooter retails for $159 and is available in white, blue and pink). Although this is a higher price tag than other scooters out there, this really is a great product.

Besides, if the options for tweens and teens are between a Rockboard Scooter and over-priced electronics and video games that will stick kids to the couch, I would go for this innovative alternative any day.

The only thing that I have been disappointed in after trying out this hybrid scooter is that I live in a climate where I won't be able to use it soon! But you can bet that it will be one of the first things that I'm going to pull out once the snow is gone next spring... not to mention it might get a ride or two around our house on the hardwood floors in the meantime...

And, thanks to the generosity of M-Y Products, the creators of the Rockboard, one person will be able to see just why I'm lacing up my shoes and heading outside for another ride as soon as possible, because...

One lucky person will win an Original Rockboard Scooter!

To enter to win: Tell me who would be the lucky recipient of this great scooter if you win.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over and enter the Rockboard Scooter giveaway at A Nut in a Nutshell!
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Rockboard on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a Rockboard Scooter (ARV $200), the most innovative and fun ride for big kids! http://bit.ly/sNHM34 @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook, and/or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
2 Extra Entries if you have our Holiday Gift Guide button posted on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on December 1st at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to M-Y Products, LLC for providing a Rockboard Scooter for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.