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SkyMall Monday: Large Universal Skate Sail (the worst SkyMall product ever?)
I want to love every SkyMall product. I mean, they're all so gosh darn loveable. And, like the infomercials that you see when you can't fall asleep, the descriptions of each gadget in SkyMall lead you to believe that they're the greatest thing since the Edge Brownie Pan. Every SkyMall product that we've ever reviewed for SkyMall Monday has touted itself as life-changing and showcased all of its best attributes. All of that changes this week. We were embarrassed for the makers of this week's featured product. After discovering it in the catalog, we were beyond excited to see it in action. We looked up every video that we could find only to be more disappointed than a Washington Generals fan. Each video is more amateurish and underwhelming than the last. Each video makes it look as if the product doesn't even work. Each video makes us shake our heads at how awful the Large Universal Skate Sail must be.First of all, Sail Skating (as this "sport" is called) has the single saddest website in the history of the internet. It includes one link to a news story promoting the "sport." That link is dead.
It features no explanation of the activity, the product or, well, anything. It includes links to buy the sail on Amazon, like the sail on Facebook (two people have done so) and follow the sail company on Twitter (it has tweeted once and has zero followers).
Most importantly, it showcases 29 sail skating videos in the most horrible video interface we've ever seen. And the videos themselves? None of them make the product look particularly...um, what's the word...oh, right...good. They all show the sail flopping around in the air while someone kinda sorta glides by at about the same speed that they could achieve using just their feet.
The product description makes it seem like the creators had good intentions:
How bad are the videos? Let's take a look.
I'm amazed that his coveralls didn't create more drag as the semi-inflated sail allowed him to just barely pass a parked car.
Ever wanted to ride in a vehicle that goes slower than a walking toddler with a club foot? Then this is the product for you!
Certainly, you'd like to learn how the Skate Sail works. Perhaps this crude computer animation that is completely devoid of audio, details or realism can help you.
Yep, that answered all of our questions. Surely you must be satisfied by now, as well.
Unless, of course, you were wondering what the Skate Sail looks like while not working very well and viewed through a paper towel tube. Well then, this is the video for you:
Is this sail the worst SkyMall product ever? It's quite possible. What's certain is that it is the most poorly marketedSkyMall product of all-time. Well done, Skate Sail.
Check out all of the previous SkyMall Monday posts HERE.
It features no explanation of the activity, the product or, well, anything. It includes links to buy the sail on Amazon, like the sail on Facebook (two people have done so) and follow the sail company on Twitter (it has tweeted once and has zero followers).
Most importantly, it showcases 29 sail skating videos in the most horrible video interface we've ever seen. And the videos themselves? None of them make the product look particularly...um, what's the word...oh, right...good. They all show the sail flopping around in the air while someone kinda sorta glides by at about the same speed that they could achieve using just their feet.
The product description makes it seem like the creators had good intentions:
Why use your own muscles to exercise when you can let the wind do all the work? Well, as you'll see in these videos, the wind is slacking off, too.A great new way to get both adults and kids outside and moving if they're sitting around the TV too much!
How bad are the videos? Let's take a look.
I'm amazed that his coveralls didn't create more drag as the semi-inflated sail allowed him to just barely pass a parked car.
Ever wanted to ride in a vehicle that goes slower than a walking toddler with a club foot? Then this is the product for you!
Certainly, you'd like to learn how the Skate Sail works. Perhaps this crude computer animation that is completely devoid of audio, details or realism can help you.
Yep, that answered all of our questions. Surely you must be satisfied by now, as well.
Unless, of course, you were wondering what the Skate Sail looks like while not working very well and viewed through a paper towel tube. Well then, this is the video for you:
Is this sail the worst SkyMall product ever? It's quite possible. What's certain is that it is the most poorly marketedSkyMall product of all-time. Well done, Skate Sail.
Check out all of the previous SkyMall Monday posts HERE.
Filed under: Video, Skymall Monday
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bill Oct 24th 2011 3:39PM
Wow -- skiing with a Skate Sail; isn't that what hills, and gravity, are for?
An hour with the Sail and you won't be able to lift your arms past the horizontal.
One of your best reviews ever, Mike. You keep hitting them out of the park -- too funny.
Mike Barish Oct 24th 2011 3:40PM
Thanks, Bill! I have to give all the credit to the sail on this one. It did the heavy lifting!
Greg Oct 24th 2011 5:25PM
How about that blow up pillow you are supposed to sleep on as you fly? That one gets me everytime I see it...bet they have sold hardly any! If the jerk in front puts the seat back that pillow might break your neck!!
Mike Barish Oct 24th 2011 5:25PM
You mean this pillow?
http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/23/skymall-monday-skyrest-travel-pillow-actual-review/
Maria Romero Dec 7th 2011 5:25PM
I've never read your column before but came across it as I was looking for this product for my nephew. I may have not checked out his Amazon site or his personal site yet but I LOVE this sail! I ski, snowboard, skate, rollerblade, etc etc etc. Do it all. This enhanced it. Although, I haven't gotten to use it in the snow yet, I'm sure that it will be a nice way to enjoy my snow equipment when i don't have time to travel the hour to one of the ski resorts and pay a lot to get on the mountains. You obviously haven't tried the product but were very quick to call it the "worst product ever". That's pretty special considering you reviewed that gay looking pillow. But FYI I can't even get another sail for my nephew for Christmas because the guy is sold out until February. I also posted this onto a site I love called Wanelo this past weekend and at least 40 other people at the moment agree that this item is bad ass. Mind you those are 40 other women, which means it is not even who its probably intended for. Have fun with making a living off criticizing others ideas without even trying them first.