WCMX is a sport in which wheelchair athletes perform tricks adapted from skateboarding and BMX, usually performed at a skatepark. [1] It was invented by Aaron Fotheringham. [2]
WCMX is a sport in which wheelchair athletes perform tricks adapted from skateboarding and BMX, usually performed at a skatepark. [1] It was invented by Aaron Fotheringham. [2]
The sport has its own competitions and custom wheelchairs. [3]
The term WCMX, a mash-up of wheelchair and BMX, [3] was coined by Fotheringham. [4] Fotheringham landed the first wheelchair backflip and the first double backflip. [5]
Timothy Lachlan was the first Australian to land a wheelchair backflip. [6]
Tomas Woods a British athlete, part of WCMX GB was crowned #1 in the world in December 2023[ citation needed ].
Lily Rice was the first person in the UK to land a backflip. [7] She won her first world championship in September 2019. [8] [9]
The first WCMX meet-up in the UK was in early 2019. [10]
WCMX originated in the US. [2]
Riders use purpose-built wheelchairs called WCMX chairs to perform various tricks and stunts. Unlike standard daily use wheelchairs, WCMX chairs have a reinforced frame, grind bar, carbon fibre push wheels, skateboard or rollerblade wheels, suspension castors and a seatbelt. [11] The most commonly used safety gear is full-face helmets, elbow and knee pads and gloves. Full-face helmets are preferred as they offer greater protection against falls from any angle. For more dangerous tricks involving flips or mega ramps, riders should wear a neck brace and a chest/back protector to reduce the risk of injury to the spine. [12]
This isn't an exhaustive list, new tricks and variations are created each day.
Backflip, Double Backflip, Front Flip, 180, 360, Flair.
Handplant, Carving, Drop-In, Acid Drop, Bank Drop, One Wheel Drop-in, Layback, Blunt Stall, Fakie.
One wheel spin, Castor Spin, Layback, Duck Walk, Bunny Hop.
50-50 Grind, 5-0 Grind, Footplate/Nosegrind, Hand-rim slide.
Wheelie, One Wheel Wheelie, No-Handers.
Upside-Down Wheelie, Upside-Down One Wheel Spin. [13]
As with other skatepark sports, the risks involved in WCMX can be greatly reduced by wearing safety gear such as a full-face helmet and pads; and only trying tricks within the rider's skill level. WCMX chairs provide a wide base of support, making falls less likely unless the rider is trying tricks that involve shifting the centre of gravity, e.g. balance tricks such as one-wheel spins.
In 2016, an online campaign for a Lego wheelchair skate park was rejected. [14] However, WCMX is represented in the Lego City Skate Park (60290) set, released 2021. [15]
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David Lebuser is German extreme wheelchair athlete. He was the first professional wheelchair skater in Germany. Apart from riding WCMX, which is adapted from skateboarding and BMX, he also hosts WCMX workshops for other wheelchair users in Germany. At the age of 21, he became paralysed from the waist down (L3) after he fell into a stairwell.
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