WCMX (sport)
WCMX is a sport in which wheelchair athletes performs trick adapted from skateboarding and BMX, usually performed at a skatepark.[1] It was invented by Aaron Fotheringham.[2]
Overview[]
The sport has its own competitions and custom wheelchairs.[3]
History[]
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]
Australia[]
Timothy Lachlan was the first Australian to land a wheelchair backflip.[6]
UK[]
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]
USA[]
WCMX originated in the US.[2]
Equipment Used[]
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]
Categories of Tricks[]
This isn't an exhaustive list, new tricks and variations are created each day.
Air[]
Backflip, Double Backflip, Front Flip, 180, 360, Flair.
Bowl and Ramp Tricks[]
Handplant, Carving, Drop-In, Acid Drop, Bank Drop, One Wheel Drop-in, Layback, Blunt Stall, Fakie.
Flat-ground[]
One wheel spin, Castor Spin, Layback, Duck Walk, Bunny Hop.
Grinds and Slides[]
50-50 Grind, 5-0 Grind, Footplate/Nosegrind, Hand-rim slide.
Balance[]
Wheelie, One Wheel Wheelie, No-Handers.
Miscellaneous[]
Upside-Down Wheelie, Upside-Down One Wheel Spin.[13]
Risks[]
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.
Culture[]
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.
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]
References[]
- ^ http://ic.ufabc.edu.br/simposios/index.php?conference=EIC&schedConf=9EIC2019&page=paper&op=viewPaper&path%5B%5D=4113[dead link]
- ^ a b "Meet Aaron Wheelz Fotheringham the godfather of extreme wheelchair sports".
- ^ a b "Meet the WCMX Riders". 2 January 2014.
- ^ Our Lives: Defying Gravity, BBC1, 17 June 2020, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000k592
- ^ "WCMX: Taking Wheelchairs to New Heights".
- ^ "2018 - University student on a roll promoting wheelchair sport - Southern Cross University".
- ^ "Gravity-defying Lily stars in new BBC programme".
- ^ "'Wheelchair motocross changed my life'". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Lily is WCMX world golden girl".
- ^ BBC Newsround, "WCMX: 'I like when you go really fast'" https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/47792219
- ^ "2018 - University student on a roll promoting wheelchair sport - Southern Cross University".
- ^ "Extreme adventures = maximum fun". 12 December 2019.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Aaron Wheelz - 2020 WCMX Edit. YouTube.
- ^ "Lego produces first minifigure with a wheelchair".
- ^ "Review: 60290 Skate Park".
External links[]
- Wheelchair sports