Things You'll Need:
- Light-weight wheelchair (ideally one with suspension support)
- Grinder bar
- Gloves
- Helmet
- Knee pads
- Elbow pads
- Other protective equipment as needed
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Step 1
Be sure you are fit. Visit your doctor and get approval to skate. Eat healthy foods. Use modified exercises suggested by your doctor to keep your weight under control. This will assist in avoiding pain in the shoulders, arms and rotor cuffs. Once you have the go-ahead from your doctor, it's time to get your chair ready.
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Step 2
Realize that normal wheelchairs are really not equipped to keep you safe during falls. Extreme sport chairs have shocks that absorb the jolt from landing. They also need a grinder bar to do rail stunts. A grinder bar allows the wheelchair to be raised higher when being held up by a rail. Most sports wheelchairs are more compact, allow for greater movement and speed and come equipped with suspension support. When you are out choosing your sports wheelchair, don't forget to also pick up gloves, pads and a helmet.
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Step 3
Ask a current wheelchair skateboarding pro for help as you start learning basics, if you are lucky enough to know one of them personally. If you don't know anyone, look up organizations for extreme wheelchair sports. They will be able to point you in the right direction for beginners lessons or classes.
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Step 4
Follow your mentors' advice faithfully. They have been where you are! They can teach you one trick at a time until you can confidently hit the ramps and fly!
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Step 5
Be patient, and practice, practice, practice!
