Always Say “Yes” To A Free Hoverboard - Stab Mag

Live Now — New Episode Of How Surfers Get Paid — Agents & Managers

452 Views

Always Say “Yes” To A Free Hoverboard

A product review on something I didn’t know I wanted, definitely don’t need and now absolutely have!

style // Nov 15, 2017
Words by stab
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Last Wednesday, something big happened. My life, as I knew it, changed. Forever. I became the proud owner of an AlienBoard Hoverboard.

(Maybe) two weeks back, I received an email from a very sweet woman named Mandy with a subject line that said, more or less, “Free Hoverboard for review.”

I was thrilled! And in my excitement, I responded with, and I quote, “Well, how can turn down a free hoverboard!?[sic]” followed by our shipping address. (I meant to type “who”, but “how” came out first and before I could be bothered to proofread my email, I clicked send.)

After I’d committed to writing this review on the Alien Wheels Hoverboard, I received a phone call from Unknown Caller – a mysterious identity whose calls I usually decline. But, I answered. It was Mandy! She asked me questions. Which I answered. Then, she spoke of colors. “Would you like a blue, black, camo, white or pink…” before she could say another, I stopped her dead in her colorful tracks.

“Uh, pink.”

It was profound. Fucking poetry. At that moment I knew, without a doubt, that I didn’t want, but was destined to own, a pink Alien Wheels Hoverboard.

Then, last Wednesday, as we were scurrying around the office like ants, trying to get 12 surfboards out of the office, a box arrived. I received. Signed. Opened.

And as I pried the pink Alien Wheels Hoverboard from the cardboard, I glowed.

“This is the best day of my life,” I stuttered into Dooma Fahrenfort’s iPhone. I took it outside, turned it on, and rolled slowly down Venice Blvd. I hovered. We all did.

And within about, er, 5 minutes, we returned to the office.

I placed the pink Alien Wheels Hoverboard beneath a desk, and returned to Stab in the Dark biz, as usual. But, deep down, I daydreamt of the next time we’d hover. A few hours later, everyone left the office for lunch, without me. I plugged the Alien Wheels Hoverboard into her (she’s a she, btw) charger. She turned on. She spoke! “Bluetooth is ready to pair!”

Bluetooth! What Bluetooth capabilities did she possess?! I immediately pulled out my phone, went straight to Spotify and played a tune.

She sang from her wheels.

I pulled her out of her charger. And. Nothing. She wouldn’t turn back on. I tried. And tried. And. Nothing. I thought, she must be tired. I plugged her back in. She turned on. She told me all about her Bluetooth again. I let her charge.

Later that night, ready to ride down Venice Blvd to my car on my new Alien Wheels Hoverboard, I cued up the Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive”. I pulled her plug. I hit her button. And… Nothing.

The next day Stab in the Dark came and went. Hungover, I couldn’t be bothered to show up to the office Friday. On Tuesday, I broke the news to Mandy that my Alien Wheels Hoverboard wouldn’t turn back on. She replied promptly with instructions on how to fix the issue. Then yesterday, Unknown Caller rang. And Unknown Caller was sent straight to voicemail. It was Mandy. She left a message. She asked for a reply to the email. Which I did.

When the board turns back on, there will be a discount code “Stabmag20”. And for each Alien Wheels Hoverboard sold, I’ve been told that Stab will receive $20 commission.

But, let’s be honest: I did the heavy lifting here. So, instead of the money going to Stab, I’m going to have it sent straight to me. So I urge you, in the absolute most gentle and insincere fashion, to please head to Alienwheels.com, plug in the discount code “STABMAG20” and purchase an Alien Wheels Hoverboard. A pink one.

Currently, the hoverboard remains in a cabinet in our office and I have yet implemented any of Mandy’s suggested solutions to turn her back on. 

When I do, which I may, eventually, every car reflecting the cinematic sunset of that evening, will know, by the way I use my walk, I’m a woman’s man, no time to talk.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Watch: Kael Walsh’s 2025 Stab Edit Of The Year Entry ‘Strung’

The 2022 champ might just win it again — but sorry, no Bitcoin this time…

Sep 11, 2025

Film Review: We Went To The “Yi-Wo” World Premiere

And Thomas Campbell has successfully increased our attention span.

Sep 11, 2025

The Surf100 x Pacifico $100k Finale — Everything You Need To Know

Watch & score the 100-minute finale on Wednesday, September 17th.

Sep 11, 2025

We Asked About Sharks, 3000 Surfers Answered

And the results show: you're full of contradictions.

Sep 11, 2025

Empty Set: How Do You Approach A New Spot And Get Waves?

Mason Ho, Tosh Tudor, and Kepa Acero share their tips.

Sep 10, 2025

“I Want To See The Winner Get Stretchered Off The Beach With A $5K Check”

Julian & Co. invite a 20 year-old carpenter to Stab High, courtesy of Bum Rush

Sep 9, 2025

Take Stab’s 2025 Audience Survey, Win A New Surfboard + Kit

Fins, boardshorts, and Premium subscriptions also up for grabs.

Sep 8, 2025

Bobby Martinez on Industry Bullshit, Saying No to $1.2 Million + Sunny’s Best Piece Of Advice

Our final Surf100 competitor in his How Surfers Get Paid interview.

Sep 8, 2025

Local Tahitian Surfer Narrowly Rescued + Resuscitated After Teahupo’o Wipeout

“It was so heavy. I've never seen anything like it.”

Sep 6, 2025

Kelly Slater On The Final 5, Stab In The Dark & His Plan To Disappear

A Stab Interview that nearly didn't happen.

Sep 6, 2025

7 Moments Worth Reliving From Our Surf100 Challenge Series Pres. By Pacifico

And, how Eithan Osborne officially made it to our $100,000 finale. 

Sep 5, 2025

Yago Dora & Molly Picklum: The Post-WSL Finals Interview

Meet the (official) best surfers in the world.

Sep 4, 2025

Stab High Sydney Presented by Monster Energy Is Landing In October

36 Pro Men, 10 Ladybirds, 10 Bottle Rockets and the Pro Women return with a…

Sep 3, 2025

Introducing Our 12 E.A.S.T. Fest Shapers And The Surfboards They’re Bringing

Good luck choosing one to ride…

Sep 3, 2025

Meet The Only Guy Knifing Jaws With A PhD

Dr. Cliff Kapono stars in Vice doc 'Let It Kill You'.

Sep 3, 2025

The WSL Finals, In Full Color

A 2025 Finals Day photo series by Jimmicane.

Sep 3, 2025

And It Was All Yellow: Molly Picklum + Yago Dora Clinch Maiden World Titles

The top-ranked surfers delivered blistering performances in Fiji.

Sep 1, 2025

Two Of These Surfers Will (Likely) Become World Champions Tomorrow

A Tavarua portrait series by Jimmicane.

Sep 1, 2025
Advertisement