
2024 Rugged Recap
What a year!
As the world of interactive play keeps moving, Rugged has had another busy year of exciting projects, events, collaborations, and team growth.
To celebrate 2024’s achievements and go into 2025 having reflected on our achievements and hard work, we have put together a recap of what we’ve all been up to.
Brand New 'About Us' Video and Website Launched
Who are we? What do we stand for? Where do we sell into? As we grow, it’s important that new customers, partners and markets understand what we offer and how we can help them. We worked with Idenna to produce an up-to-date ‘About Us’ video that really captures where Rugged came from, what we’re all about, and our plans for the future.
New Website Launched
Although we work across a number of different sectors, the Active Fun industry is at our core. To reflect this, we’ve launched our new website with the help of Creo that really highlights the work, installations and developments we do in this industry.
By putting ourselves in the shoes of our customers and partners, we identified areas of the website that could benefit from stronger usability, such as a brand new ‘solution finder’ and product support guide.
Our Top Installations
Last year we had a one (or two) of a kind project in Amsterdam, with two strong brands opening under one roof with a total of 11 interactive attractions between them: Monkey Town and Jumpsquare!
In Summer 2024, Monkey Town opened alongside a Jumpsquare in Amsterdam-Noord, Kadoelen, both offering a premium play experience with a focus on different demographics.
Monkey Town
Monkey Town Amsterdam offers Freedom Gaming, AeroStrike, Trailblazer, TriggerTrac, SkyPods, FreeStyle Duo and Talking Bags, with a younger demographic of 12 and under.
The Monkey Town brand has over 45 venues across the Netherlands, and is expanding into Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Spain and Italy. Their brand offers clean, safe and fun play and cafe with a fixed, affordable price.
Jumpsquare
Jumpsquare Amsterdam offers a FreeStyle Duo, High-9 Duo, BattleBaskets Pro court, and a PowrPlay pitch, catering to an older demographic, including teenagers and adults.
Jumpsquare Amsterdam is part of the JumpSquare, JumpXL and You Jump group, with over 34 venues across Europe.
With these venues being the first of the brands to install multiple interactives at build level, it’s an exciting time to see how interactives will play a part in future soft play and trampoline parks within the companies.
Monkey Town, Amsterdam-Noord
Monkey Town, Amsterdam-Noord
Monkey Town, Amsterdam-Noord
Monkey Town, Amsterdam-Noord
Monkey Town, Amsterdam-Noord
Monkey Town, Amsterdam-Noord
Jump Square, Amsterdam-Noord
Jump Square, Amsterdam-Noord
Jump Square, Amsterdam-Noord
Jump Square, Amsterdam-Noord
Jump Square, Amsterdam-Noord
Jump Square, Amsterdam-Noord
Freedom Gaming Stats
With our Freedom Gaming tag arena installed in 60+ soft play and trampoline park venues across the globe, 2024 saw thousands of customers enjoying the thrill of the light-seeking obstacle course.
Our Top Selling Product
It’s an oldie but goldy! One of our flagship products, the CardioWall FreeStyle Duo!
Our interactive activity wall is the definition of versatility, offering benefits for all kinds of venues: from trampoline parks, soft play and outdoor gyms, to airports, schools and libraries. If you haven’t played on one yet, get down to your local trampoline park or FEC, odds say they’ll probably have one!
Exhibitions Across the World
Exhibitions and conferences are a great way of meeting up with existing partners and customers, and showing our interactive attractions to new connections. In 2024, we attended 9+ exhibitions and conferences, covering the UK, the USA, and Europe.
Alongside exhibiting at the shows, we had some great opportunities to showcase Rugged products and our expertise in the market further:
- At IAAPA Florida, our Founder and Co-CEO, Simon Heap, presented a talk on ‘The Future of FEC’s’ and how they will be Immersive, Gamified, and Personalised
- Our European Sales Manager, Ray, arranged an open day at Monkey Town before IAAPA Florida, giving potential customers the opportunity to see our products in action. He was back there a few days later presenting to all Monkey Town franchisees about the power of gamification, too!
- We presented a talk at the AIP Conference, Trade Show and Awards Gala on ‘Trends in the Soft Play Market’, comparing UK vs US design and interactive product offering
Thank you to all everyone who attended these events!
Explore our gallery of main exhibitions below…
Thanks for your Amazing Feedback!
We’re always looking for feedback on our products, processes and experience. We’ve picked some of our favourite quotes from the soft play and trampoline park industry in 2024:
Working with the team at Rugged interactive has been more than amazing, they are helpful and go the extra mile. Communication is also forthcoming and the Rugged team will also help in any way they can - from product information, to customisation of products. I will most definitely order products from the Rugged basket again.
The introduction of Rugged Interactive equipment has, we believe, positively impacted customer loyalty, improved our brand recognition and increased our customer base reach.
We have Rugged products in nearly all of our venues and we highly recommend Rugged’s products to all new Franchise Partners. The Rugged products bring completely different elements to our venues, opening up our customer base to larger demographics.
I would highly recommend Rugged Interactive, dealing with them throughout the process, from initial discussions to installation, has been transparent and informative and they have taken both time and interest in ensuring the equipment is right for our specific environment.
Customer feedback regarding the Customer feedback regarding Rugged products, particularly the Hi-9 Duo and Freedom Gaming has been great. Customers say they return visits to Freedom Adventure Park is due to the offering and variety of electronic gaming with physical activity Freedom offers.
Customers frequently rave about the Strike Arena, expressing how it offers an immersive experience that truly captivates them. Their feedback often emphasises the interactive elements that leave them eagerly anticipating for their next visit.
New Rugged Starters
In Joanne's spare time, she loves exploring the rugged beauty of Dartmoor with her husband and two dogs. If she is not out on the moors, you can usually find her signing up for yet another running event.

Dean enjoys watching sport, keeping up to date with new tech & providing IT support for family and friends!

Louise has been in executive and governance support roles for over 12 years. She's a lover of animals and nature, a student of aerial silks and Italian language, and an amateur archer.

In my spare time, I love spending time outdoors, especially with my loyal Labrador, who is always eager for an adventure. When I’m not out with my dog, I also teach piano, sharing my passion for music.

Joe has a keen interest in rugby and also enjoys cycling.

Samuel was a professional athlete from Sarawak, Malaysia, he loves to combine both of his passions, sport and design, to make fitness fun!

Jane graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Business (majoring in Marketing) in Brisbane, Australia. She has worked in marketing for over 7 years and has a real passion for digital marketing, brand and tech. In her spare time she likes to plan her next travel destination, charity shop and spend time with friends and family.

Lauren graduated from London Southbank University with a BA in Film Production. She has worked in marketing for over 4 years, specialising in video production and social content. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, and sitting down with a good show and a cuppa.

Gemma loves the great outdoors and can normally be found in the ocean or exploring the Cornish countryside.

I enjoy playing or watching most sports, mainly football, and I support Arsenal. I also enjoy going to the gym.

Rob enjoys reading, watching Rugby and Cricket (most sport really), doing (and occasionally composing) cryptic crossword puzzles and is a sucker for a quiz!

Originally from Newquay, Anthony has a deep passion for aircraft photography, capturing the beauty and power of planes in flight. In addition to this hobby, he enjoys spending time outdoors and walking his dog along the scenic coastal paths.

Paul moved to Cornwall to indulge in his passion for surfing and coastal walking. He also enjoy cycling and a good beer.

Jason enjoys hiking and camping or anything to do with the great outdoors!

Corporate Giving
At Rugged, we’re all about giving back to the communities surrounding Bristol and Bodmin, and beyond! Here’s what we got up to in 2024.
In December 2024, we chose Cornwall Wave Project for our multi-thousand pound Christmas donation, as we’re passionate about the work they do to support young people to overcome mental health challenges through surfing and active fun. At Rugged, our mission is to promote active fun and wellbeing through movement, and the work The Wave Project does UK really aligns with this.

In Summer 2024, we ran The Brightwell Family Fun Run to donate and raise awareness for their MS and Neurological Conditions Wellness Centre in Bristol, which we partner with.

Bodmin donated boxes of essentials to Bodmin Asda foodbank, and Bristol donated to North Bristol and South Glos Foodbank in Autumn 2024.

In November, we swam the ‘Superhero in the Cold’ in Newquay, a yearly event in memory of the founder, Amy Gordon, who sadly passed away with cancer. We raised £1708 for Cancer Research UK! …and if you’re wondering, the sea temperate was 12.3°C that day!

We brought out all our best festive attire on Thursday 12th December and raised £200 for Save the Children UK.

Carbon Offsetting Tree Planting
We’re on a mission to be carbon neutral, which involves our collaboration with Plant One. For every product we sell at Rugged, we plant trees with the Cornwall-based charity, so the larger the product (and its manufacturing output), the more trees we plant!
You can delve more into our partnership with Plant One below…
That's a Wrap!
In true Rugged fashion, we had a non-stop year in the world of active play and we’re ready for another 12 months!
We couldn’t have done it without our motivated and passionate Rugged team members, alongside the support from our customers and partners. A huge thank you from Simon, Harry and the entire Rugged team.