GNARLIER THAN MOST: Come hit the skatepark in your wheelchair with WCMX
When Tim Lachlan arrives at the skatepark for a session, it looks a wee bit different to your average skater’s entry. Tim’s legs aren’t of much use, so instead of a skateboard he rides a wheelchair - though that’s pretty much where the distinction ends. Once he hits the ramps, the passion and dedication are obvious. He’s a skater by heart. A gnarly one too!
Slabzoo hit him up at Ormeau skatepark to chat, hang and nerd about all things gear & setup!
Disability no hindrance
Tim has been skating since he was a young teenager when his parents gave in and finally took him to the local skatepark. From that day on he was hooked, and some years later he became the first Australian to ever land a backflip in a wheelchair.
WCMX FACTS:
WCMX is a sport in which wheelchair athletes perform tricks adapted from skateboarding and BMX, usually performed at a skatepark. It was invented by Aaron Fotheringham. The sport has its own competitions and custom wheelchairs. Timothy Lachlan was the first Australian to land a wheelchair backflip!
The WCMX community is a worldwide community. With riders from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds, with varying disabilities. The youngest known rider began WCMX at 18 months old, the oldest current rider is in their fifties. There is a growing number of LGBT riders emerging worldwide.
Yet, before throwing himself down huge ramps even Tim started off by mastering a bunch of beginner-friendly wheelchair skate tricks, and he recommends trying some of these tricks first: wheelie, curb hopping, carving, roll around, turn, go down stairs, one wheel spin.
Tim’s wheelchair is made in the US and the grindbars, suspension and lightweight not only make it useable in the skatepark - it’s also a lot easier to navigate around. At a price of around $10,000, such a setup is a bit of a hindrance for people to get into wheelchair skating. However, there is support, grants and other ways to get help with funding - and hopefully, it will get easier as more people realize the huge benefits these wheelchairs bring to the users.
Tim’s wheelchair has suspension, grindbars and is light weight
Skills beyond the skatepark
Dropping in on a ramp or hitting a rail in a wheelchair is fun and cool but there’s more to it than skatepark credit. Learning to manage a wheelchair around a skatepark can make a huge difference in a wheelchair user’s life.
Skating has brought Tim heaps of awesome times in the skateparks - but it has also given him advanced wheelchair skills, which he now applies to his everyday life and helps him lead an independent life, not reliant on wheelchair access to get around. Tim can quite easily go up and down curbs and stairs, manage uneven surfaces and generally has way more freedom and safety in his wheelchair due to the skills he has picked up from skating.
To get more Australians involved Tim started the Australian branch of WCMX - a sport in which wheelchair athletes perform tricks adapted from skateboarding. He’s also studying Occupational Therapy to give his knowledge to other people living with disabilities and extend the personal benefits he has achieved through inspiration, coaching and education.
Have a go
WCMX arranges meet-ups and events across Australia - and everyone is welcome to come and have a go in a safe and inclusive environment. The next one is in Fairfield, Brisbane, QLD, as part of We Skate QLD’s spring jam on Saturday, 12 November 2022. All wheels and abilities are welcome for this fun day at the skatepark.
