To make a beach wheelchair, you can modify a standard wheelchair by adding large, buoyant wheels that can roll on sand. Add PVC pipe for a supportive frame and use waterproof materials for the seat and backrest. Make sure it’s stable and safe enough for the beach.
Embracing the sun, sand, and sea at the beach is a cherished experience for many of us, but it should be an accessible delight for everyone. In my latest blog post, ‘How to Make a Beach Wheelchair,’ I’ll explore how you can adapt a standard manual wheelchair for the beach, and ask if you can push a wheelchair on sand, whether that be an electric wheelchair or a manual one. I’ll also point out a couple of possible alternatives. First, though, I’ll go through what a beach wheelchair is, and how to make one in a little more detail, so that we can all enjoy the beach to the fullest, regardless of whether we have a disability that affects our mobility.
Is there a wheelchair that can go on the beach?
There are specialized wheelchairs designed to work well on sandy beaches and other challenging terrains. They’re known as ‘beach wheelchairs’ or ‘all-terrain wheelchairs.’ Beach wheelchairs are built with features that make them more suitable for use on the sand. Some come equipped with floatation devices, making it easier for people to enjoy the water at the beach.
Beach wheelchairs are available at some beaches and rental facilities. You can often borrow or rent them so you can enjoy the beach. Some opt to buy their own beach wheelchair if they plan to visit the beach regularly. These specialized wheelchairs give people with limited mobility the chance to enjoy the beach and other outdoor destinations more easily and comfortably.
Making a beach wheelchair
Here’s what you’ll need if you want to build a beach wheelchair.
- A standard wheelchair.
- Large, buoyant wheels.
- PVC pipe for the frame.
- A waterproof backrest and seat.
- The skill to put the chair together.
To make your beach wheelchair, you’ll first need to remove the standard wheels and replace them with buoyant wheels that are more suited to traveling on sand. The next job is to build a sturdy frame for the chair using the PVC pipe.
Then you can make the seat and backrest from waterproof material, and ensure it is stable and safe enough to take on the beach.
Later, I’ll discover if a normal wheelchair can be pushed on sand. For now, let’s see the steps you need to undertake to adapt a standard wheelchair for the beach.
How do you adapt a wheelchair to the beach?
To make a standard wheelchair more suitable for the beach, you obviously need to make some modifications. First, you must ensure you have a suitable wheelchair to adapt. It should be one that’s suited to outdoor use. A lightweight or all-terrain wheelchair would be ideal.
Bigger, more robust, air-filled wheels are best for maneuvering on sand, so you’ll need to remove the existing wheels.
The next step is to attach PVC pipes to the frame of the wheelchair to make it more supportive and stronger if necessary. Make sure it’s all secure.
Attach the beach-friendly wheels, ensuring you have a braking system that works well to stop it rolling on uneven ground.
Then you’ll be ready to make the seat and backrest from waterproof materials, so that the sand or seawater doesn’t damage the chair. You should also make sure it’s sufficiently comfortable and will stand up to the conditions most often found on a beach, for instance, windy weather.
At this stage, you might think about adding a pouch to the wheelchair, so you can carry things on to the beach.
Make sure everything you have added to the wheelchair is safe, stable, and secure, then test it out for both comfort and safety, so you can make any adjustments that may be needed.
If you wish, you can then paint or decorate the chair as you see fit. If you’re interested in decorating your wheelchair for other occasions, be sure to check out my post called ‘How to decorate a wheelchair for Halloween.’
Bear in mind that while adaptations can help make it easier for you to navigate the beach in your wheelchair, they may not be suitable for all the different types of beach terrain. How well your wheelchair does on different beaches will depend largely on the type of sand on a given beach and your personal mobility needs.
It’s time to find out if you can push a normal wheelchair on sand.
Can you push a standard wheelchair on sand?
Pushing a standard wheelchair on sand can be challenging because of the resistance and unevenness you encounter. Nevertheless, it can be done. If you do intend to take a standard wheelchair on to the beach, you may face some challenges because they are generally not designed to be pushed on sand.
- The wheels might sink – The wheels of a standard wheelchair might sink, which often makes it hard to push a chair, whether you’re a friend, carer, or user. If you’re the person in the wheelchair user, it can make for an uncomfortable ride.
- You’ll have less stability – Sand often makes for an unstable surface, which makes it makes it more likely that the chair will get stuck or tip over.
- It takes more effort – Pushing a standard manual wheelchair on sand take considerably more effort and strength than on smoother surfaces, which can be draining for whoever is pushing the chair, and may also tire the wheelchair user, even if they’re not the one propelling the wheelchair.
If you need to take a standard wheelchair onto the sand, consider using a beach mat or boardwalk if you can. These both give you a more stable surface on which to move your wheelchair. Alternatively, you can look for a beach wheelchair, which is specifically designed for beach use, or make modifications to a standard wheelchair as I suggested above.
Can you use an electric wheelchair on the beach?
Using an electric wheelchair on the beach is difficult because they’re typically designed for smoother, more even surfaces, and they may struggle on loose or uneven sand. Instead, it might be wiser to get your hands on a beach wheelchair conversion kit, or perhaps rent or buy an all-terrain electric wheelchair.
Don’t try to use an electric wheelchair on the beach without knowing the limitations of that model and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
You might find using a beach mat or boardwalk a better option for access if you’re a wheelchair user.
Before I wrap things up, I’ll point out the best alternative to using a beach wheelchair.
What is the alternative to a beach wheelchair?
An alternative to a beach wheelchair for people who have mobility problems is to use a beach mat.
Beach mats are portable pathways made of durable materials like fabric that can be rolled out onto the sand to create a smooth and stable surface for those in wheelchairs. They’re also great if you just enjoy walking along the beach, as it makes it easier for people to do so.
Beach mats allow easier access to the beach and waterfront, and they are especially useful in areas where it may be challenging to use a beach wheelchair either because of the terrain or the cost. Beach mats are usually a more cost-effective and versatile way to make beaches accessible for everyone.
Conclusion: How to make a beach wheelchair
In the end, creating a beach wheelchair isn’t just about assembling materials and adjusting a frame. It’s about making something that enables everyone — whatever their abilities and however mobile they are — to be included.
By learning how to make a beach wheelchair, you’re not only enhancing mobility on the shore; you’re also reshaping the shoreline of possibilities for many. So, enjoy making your own beach wheelchair, and, above all, have fun making memories.
