A Beginner’s Guide to Wheelchair Motocross

Gearing Up for Wheelchair Motocross

In wheelchair motocross, performers opt to use a specialized manual wheelchair, rather than a traditional manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair. Use of the ramps and falls that you will experience from performing tricks and stunts will take a toll on your mobility device. The specialty chair is made up of lighter weight materials and is equipped with a full suspension frame that protects the user’s legs, racing shocks and wheels. In addition to the full suspension frame, other safety precautions include using gloves and a bicycle helmet.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

As with all sports, wheelchair motocross requires a great deal of practice. Building up strength is one of the most important factors in successfully performing stunts. When preparing to perform a trick, it is important to work on gaining momentum by pumping your arms. This can be done through significantly distancing yourself from the jump.

Another essential component to wheelchair motocross is, falling down. Because it takes time to build up the strength and stamina required to perform different stunts, chances are that you will experience falling. Falling doesn’t mean you should stop trying and give up. It just means that you are at the exact point where even the most popular WCMX athletes started, having to get back up and try again.

Notable Athletes in Wheelchair Motocross

Aaron Fotheringham, also known by his nickname, "Wheelz”, was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth and ever since has been using a wheelchair. The inspiration for wheelchair motocross started at a skatepark with his older brother, a BMXer, leading Aaron to be the father of wheelchair motocross. Fotheringham, who was eight years old at the time, was immediately interested in BMX and wanted to participate, asking his brother to push him.

After multiple attempts at performing stunts in his wheelchair, as well as going through a couple of wheelchairs, he sent a wheelchair company a video and they decided to sponsor him. Due to his previous wheelchairs’ heavy-weighted frames, they couldn’t handle a beating from the park. This was resolved when he got a custom-made wheelchair that is lightweight, made mostly out of titanium. Additional modifications to his chair include the front wheels being replaced with smaller skateboard-style wheels, the back wheels made of a stronger, more durable rubber, reinforced with heavy duty spokes and the addition of a suspension system. His goal is not only to participate in something that he enjoys, but he also hopes to break the stigma on wheelchairs, usually associated with limiting a person or certain stereotypes.

Another motivational athlete making an impact in the world of wheelchair motocross is Katherine Beattie. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and loved sports, participating in surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding until she went through surgery to lengthen her hamstrings. This caused a lack of strength and balance in her legs, which resulted in use of a wheelchair, but that didn’t stop her from participating in sports. Beattie was the first female rider to do a backflip in a wheelchair. Now being viewed as a role model for many women with disabilities, she has been joined by other women in WCMX that perform around the country.