Beach Wheelchairs are an all-terrain transport chair that navigates through difficult areas — for example, over sand or wet, rocky surfaces. These mobility aids typically have large balloon-style tires that disperse weight over a much larger area. Mobility patients who enjoy the beach use these non-motorized wheelchairs to travel close to or even onto the water. Based on location, solutions encompass pool, sand and aquatic wheelchairs.
Beach wheelchairs solve the problems that standard wheelchairs present — particularly traveling over sand and other loose surfaces. Now, there is no more getting stuck because the front wheels sank into the sand. Gone are the worries about those tiny grains gumming up moving parts. Rusting is not an issue..
Wheelchairs for beach use have large tires that roll over soft, loose sand, compacted sand or even over bumpy terrain and small common obstacles found at the beach. Plus, unlike standard wheelchairs, fine particles cannot get into moving parts. PVC is often the material of choice for construction, as it can get wet without damaging or causing the frame to rust.
Like standard models, beach wheelchairs come in a variety of options and styles. Some disassemble and reassemble with ease. Others float, allowing the user to enjoy playing in the water.
Especially as you seek to own rather than rent a beach wheelchair, understand the two common types:
Sand wheelchairs: These beach wheelchairs take you over the sand and nearby areas — from the boardwalk and parking lot through loose to wet, densely packed sand and over shells and even lightly rocky areas. As you’ll be spending most of your time in the sun, these models often come outfitted with large wheels for stability and an umbrella holder for shade. These are also called all-terrain wheelchairs.
Floating wheelchairs: Also called aquatic wheelchairs, these models can travel into the water and even let you lie back. Letting you do this is a harnessed model with a lighter frame and floats for greater buoyancy.
You’re recommended to contact a beach or pool ahead of time if you intend to bring a compatible wheelchair to discuss restrictions and ideal locations for access.
Why Use an All-Terrain Wheelchair?
It makes what was once inaccessible accessible. Those who use wheelchairs no longer need to be confined to parking lots, boardwalks or sidewalks. Instead, they can enjoy the freedom to explore, play and have fun anywhere along the water's edge.
Using a chair built for the sand keeps a standard model safe from the hazards at the beach. Hard, gritty grains can damage the finish of a chair not suited to this environment. They can also get into moving parts and cause wheels to bind or seize. Not only that, but the caster wheels sink in loose sand, becoming stuck. And, the large back wheels on a standard wheelchair are not wide enough to get traction.
Features and Benefits
Made from PVC or other lightweight, water-friendly materials
Large balloon-style wheels that don't sink into the sand
Ample rear-facing handles for easy assistance
Easy to clean
Characteristics and Popular Models of Beach and Sand Wheelchairs
All-terrain wheelchairs come with large, wide hard-plastic or hard-rubber wheels that can roll over almost any surface. They can either be manually operated by the user or pushed from behind, based on needs and preferences.
The Beach & Trail Wheelchair by AquaTrek2 not only glides over sand, including soft and hard-packed, but it also handles rough terrain, like that found on trails.
Characteristics of Beach and Sand Wheelchairs
Beach wheelchairs feature large, thick wheels made to glide over soft sand. These chairs require an assistant to push the chair from behind or can be guided manually by the user. They often include an umbrella stand or a cup holder.
The top manufacturers of these beach access chairs include Aqua Creek Products, Deming Designs, Vipamat and MJM. Heavy-duty bariatric and pediatric beach wheelchairs are also available. Consider accenting your chair with an umbrella, cup holder or fishing rod holder, or adapt your chair from the beach to the pool with a conversion kit.
The DeBug Beach Wheelchair helps users enjoy a day at the beach. Its large front wheels can handle any sandy environment — from soft sand to hard-packed. Converting this chair into a pool wheelchair is simple and requires no tools.
Beach Walkers
While not technically a wheelchair, beach walkers solve the same issues. Large wheels attached to the base of the frame keep the walker from sinking into the sand. Users can stroll through patches of soft, loose grains or move along the shore over moist, hard-packed sand.
The DeBug Stainless Steel Beach Walker allows users to go into the shallow water at the beach and enjoy all the activities associated with a day in the sun on the sand.
Beach Strollers
Jogging along the beach while pushing a baby has never been practical — until now. Baby Beach Strollers have large wheels that glide over the sand. They come complete with a hood to keep the sun off your little one.
The DeBug Baby Beach Jogger Stroller has a five-point harness to keep little ones restrained. Its lightweight frame is easy to push while jogging.
The Vipamat Hippocampe Pool Wheelchair can be fully submerged. Users can stay in this chair throughout their experience. There is no need to transfer to any other chair.
How to Choose The Best Wheelchair
A portable beach wheelchair needs to solve specific problems and help overcome the unique challenges presented by activities near the water. An excellent place to start is deciding what functions are important to the user and what features they need to achieve them:
Does the user want to self-propel (keeping in mind that doing so across sand requires a lot of upper body strength)?
Will the user be taking their chair into the water?
Is travel across other surfaces, such as dirt on a trail or snow, required?
Does the user need a wheelchair or walker?
FAQ
Q: How much weight can a handicapped beach chair hold? A: Up to 300 to 350 pounds, depending on the make and model.
Q: How much do wheelchairs for beach use weigh? A: They range in weight from 31 pounds to 160 pounds.
Q: Can a pvc beach wheelchair go into the water? A: It depends on how far into the water. All chairs can get wet with water lapping around their wheels. A few can float and go into deeper water. Caution - some chairs (those with balloon tires) will tip if they lose contact with the ground.
Q: Can a beach chair for disabled go over grass, etc.? A: Yes. They can function as a standard wheelchair but may be harder to use because they are bulkier than standard models.
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