For many wheelchair users, sand under the wheels is the biggest hurdle on the way to the sea. With a little planning and the right equipment, however, a day at the beach can still be relaxing. Here are seven tips from our practical experience on the North and Baltic Seas.
1. Research accessible beaches in advance
Many seaside resorts on the North and Baltic Seas now have mat paths or boardwalks leading to the water, for example in Sylt, St. Peter-Ording, Scharbeutz, Warnemünde, or Usedom. Ask the spa administration where the access points are located and if there are disabled parking spaces nearby.
2. Rent a beach wheelchair
Many locations rent out beach wheelchairs with wide balloon tires, some even offer mud-flat wheelchairs or beach access chairs. Be sure to book in advance during the peak season.
3. Bring your own path
Where there is no fixed access, a mobile path for the wheelchair helps. The TRAIL-MATE FLEX set with 8 foldable plates (1 kg each) creates 3.6 m of path and fits into any trunk. It can be carried comfortably in the FLEX bag.
4. Secure the path properly
To prevent anything from slipping, the plates are anchored in the sand with the long TRAIL-MATE PINS 40 cm. The Velcro connections also hold the plates together.
5. Plan space for turning and resting
Place two or three plates side by side at the end of the path. This creates a space for turning, for a beach chair, or for transferring.
6. Think about shade and companionship
A parasol, water, and an accompanying person to help with transfers make the day much more relaxing. If possible, plan your beach visit during the cooler morning or evening hours.
7. Head into the water
Anyone who wants to get into the water can find opportunities for adaptive surfing and SUP through associations like Open Ocean e.V. Read more about this in our article Adaptive Surfing with Open Ocean e.V..
Conclusion
An accessible day at the beach doesn't require major construction. With a mobile path made of TRAIL-MATE FLEX or CLASSIC, almost any beach becomes accessible – for wheelchairs, rollators, and strollers.