I am covered from head to toe in protective gear at the electronic skateboarding arena when the track engineer casts a sympathetic eye in my direction.

“Love, do you realise you’ve got knee pads on your elbows?” he says politely. “God only knows what you’re wearing on your knees.”

Wardrobe malfunction rectified, I step on to the Rokitscience skateboard, eager to redeem myself. But when my slightly shaking hands press too hard on the sensitive joystick, the skateboard shoots out from under me and I promptly fall off. Undeterred, and ignoring the chortles of a growing crowd of observers, I gingerly navigate the track. Just when I seem to be getting the hang of things, I plough headfirst into the perimeter fence.

Perhaps extreme sports were not the best introduction to the world of technology for someone who learnt only two days ago how to upload contacts to a ten-month-old Blackberry.

Over the next few hours there is little respite from humiliation as I am pulverised by an angry-looking ninja in the latest video game and left for dust by a ten-year-old on an easy glider (a sophisticated form of scooter).

But for the thousands of people, predominantly male, who flowed into the first Gadget Show Live at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, being completely overwhelmed by technology was exactly the point.

Britain’s largest interactive technology event, based on Five’s television programme of the same name, offered more than 10,000 products.

The early morning train into Birmingham was packed with middle-aged men chattering like excited schoolboys as they eagerly anticipated the latest gadgets, gaming devices and advances in mobile phone software.

From prepubescent teenagers to elderly grandfathers, crowds of men ogled flat-screen televisions, caressed the latest computer joysticks and stood transfixed by the beats pumping from giant audio systems.

Nothing, it seemed, was exempt from the trappings of technology. One innovative company had attached a motor to the wheels of its suitcases, retailing at £295. “You’ll never have to lug a suitcase around again. It’s practically weightless,” a spokesman said.

More than 30,000 tickets were snapped up before the show began and the 150 exhibitors reported strong sales.Darren Plumer, 37, one of a group of IT workers from Bristol, said: “I’m here to spend money. I want an entertainment system that will blow your socks off.”

Zack Ashworth, 13, from Crewe, wanted some tips to attain a professional level at the latest terrorism computer game, Counterstrike Source.

Attempts by the organisers to attract increasing numbers of the opposite sex by advertising on blogs for more feminine technology appeared to have had limited effect.

A group of women on their way into the NEC were nonplussed when asked about the gadget show.

“Gadgets, what? We’re here for the horse show,” one said. “Sounds like you need to find a man in an anorak.”

The shape of things to come

Sound Asleep Pillow Pillow with inbuilt speaker, and output for iPod, MP3 and CDs

Live Luggage Power-assisted suitcases, with a motor in the wheels

iEar Wrap Sunglass video eyewear – user has sensation of watching virtual 60in screen as if viewed from 9ft

Electronic cigarettes Puff away but on a sleek and modern cigarette without the harmful effects

Power Step Exercise machine without the need for exercise. Stand on it for 15min to tone up. Equivalent to one hour’s cardiovascular work