Sackville invention seeing success after first year on market
Chris Patterson named N.B. innovator for his skate trainer
It’s only been on the market for eight months but an invention made in Sackville, N.B., is showing early signs of success.
Chris and Martine Patterson’s learn-to-skate trainer hit shelves in September 2017, just in time for the skating season, and has been experiencing solid growth. The product has also caught the eye of NHL players with young children as well as parents of disabled children, two areas where Chris hopes to expand his market.
“So far everything’s been pretty positive.”
Of the 500 units sold to date throughout Canada, the U. S. and Europe, he said there have been no returns or warranty issues, so he is pretty confident his skate trainer will continue to do well on the market. Produced by Winnwell, a firm out of Mississauga, Ont., that sells hockey equipment, nets and skating aids, the skate trainer has mainly been distributed through online sales. The product, however, is also sold in a number of stores throughout North America, including Pro Hockey Life, Hockey Monkey, Source for Sports and Maltby Sports in nearby Amherst.
Chris said much of his focus this year has been on spreading the word about this new product.
“Going into this year, we hope to get into a few more stores, increase awareness of the product and also increase our sales.”
The learn-to-skate trainer was designed to help kids learn how to skate safely, starting at a very young age, while also making it easier on the parents. The skate trainer has an adjustable harness to help support the children’s weight as they learn to balance on skates, easing the load off of parents’ backs. Once the child is confident enough, the harness can be removed to turn it into a regular skate trainer.
Chris said the product has been a hit with parents and children alike. He has been especially proud of the fact the skate trainer is being used by young children with disabilities or mobility impairments, as the harness is able to support their weight, where otherwise they may never have been able to get out on the ice.
A Sackville business donated a skate trainer to a four-year-old boy from Dieppe who is suffering from spinal muscular atrophy. Dominic Melanson, who is confined to a wheelchair because he is not able to support his body weight, was able to go skating for the first time because of this product. Getting a prototype developed doesn’t come cheap, he said, so he would be looking at sourcing funding to be able to design a larger version that could support more weight.
The success of the Pattersons’ skate trainer has also earned attention provincially, with Chris recently being named an “N.B. innovator.”