Electric skateboards big hit for family company

Kelsi Woods, 17, enjoyed a ride on the electric skateboards. Photo / Andrew Warner

A Rotorua company has opened what it says is New Zealand's first purpose-built electric skateboard track.

Family owned and operated Fiik Action Adventures took over the adventure park on the corner of Te Ngae Rd and Sala St in December.

Head of marketing Kris Taute said people had been excited to use the electric skateboards, which the rider operated by remote to go forward and back. The rider leaned in normal skateboarding fashion to turn corners.

"The electric skateboards have been around in Australia for the past two or three years. This particular brand is a local brand, but they are widely known across the United States, Canada and Ireland.

"We have only just started our marketing efforts now and in the past month, so the word is slowly getting out there, working across online sites. One of our specialties is in the area of corporate events, we've held events here and had dinner or lunch options to go with that."

The Taute family were excited to be back in Rotorua, he said.

"We were originally from Rotorua and have been living in Australia for the last seven years. We purchased an electric skateboard company in Australia. Then we decided to move home and the plan is to eventually have these skateboards sold in and around New Zealand."

Kelsi Woods, 17, tried out the skateboards while on holiday from the Gold Coast.

"They are fun, once you get used to them they are easy. You could use them for everyday use.

"I would buy one if I had a use for it, they would be awesome on the Gold Coast," she said.

Managing director Joe Taute said he hoped Fiik Action Adventures would capitalise on Rotorua's multimillion-dollar tourism industry.

Visitors to the adventure park can also experience a nine-hole short golf course, mountain biking through the Whakarewarewa forest, archery, knife throwing, and rifle shooting.