Hippocampe wheelchair

[Riz]

Does anyone have, or heard anything about this wheelchair? It is made in France and distributed by Spokes "N Motion in the US. I am interested in it for the beach.

Thanks!

Riz

[POPO367]

I saw this wheelchair at the Expo, looked awesome and seems like it is a lot more practical than the normal bulky beach chairs. Does anyone have one of these. Pros / Cons. Thanks

[KVP612]

I tried one briefly wasn't overly impressed, then again it was briefly.
Do you plan on pushing yourself or being pushed?

If you are ever in southern NH you can rent one from Northeast Passage (A program promoting sports and physical activity out of UNH) for $15/day $55/week $90/2-weeks http://www.nepassage.org/rentals.html

[addiesue]

looks better than the beach chair I was stuck in. I would like to try one.

[POPO367]

I want to try both....saw a video on it and it looks like if the sand in packed enough you could push yourself. The sucker also floats so you ride it right into the water and just roll off, when you are ready to get back on shore you get into it and right right out. It is covered in foam so it does not get hot. Very light I think about 25 pounds. You can also add a ski to the front tire and use it in the snow. Little pricey 2500.00, but I think it is average for a beach wheelchair.

[addiesue]

Would it float away? ? Am I am idiot imagining me in the ocean and my wheelchair thing floated away?

I would like to see a pic of this from another angle. How wide are those tires?

I wish there was some way people could get togewther with equipment lkike this and share it. I can't make it to a beach often enought o justify a purchase. It's so dang expensive to have hobbies and interests in this freakin chair. Everything you want to do costs about 2 grand just to sit and do it. AHHH

[Scott Pruett]

it sure doesn't look easy to push. the majority of a user's weight will be on the rear tires, which don't look to be able to float over soft sand very well. on hardpacked sand it'd probably be fine, but then what's the advantage over using an everyday chair w/ 2" wide knobby tires and a front end light enough to lift off the ground?

[POPO367]

http://www.vipamat.fr/usa/indexusa.htm

Here's the link...

[amyk]

ive tried it out at an exhibition, but it didnt fit. they have small, medium and large, but each different width has a proportional length - so not for me. its very close to ground, but also difficult to transfer into from sitting on the floor. theres 2 versions, pool and beach. the pool one is a bit lighter and has indoor tyres, and is meant to be pushed. the beach one has bigger knobbies with a weird pushrim that is actually a continuation outwards of the tyres with a foam covered inset bit for your fingers. it has a pushing handle as well. both chairs disassemble and go into a bag for transport, and there are lots of accessories, like clothes guards, armrests, backpacks.

[Andrea J]

I recently purchased the beach version of this chair. Although it is easier to use at the beach than a regular chair, it is very hard to push by yourself in the sand. My husband had little trouble pushing me though. It also works great as a "rough terain" chair allowing us to do some hiking trips.

I have found that as it is very low to the ground, it is hard to transfer in and out of this chair. For people with higher injuries than me (t8), I think iot would be very hard to get in and out.