City rolls out floating beach wheelchairs

TWO new floating beach wheelchairs at Eastern Beach will help those who experience mobility challenges to enjoy the water this summer.

The two chairs have large rubber tyres suitable for all-terrain access and floating armrests to give users the feeling of floating in the water.

The city has also installed rubber beach matting to provide a safe pathway from Eastern Beach car park and footpath to the water’s edge at the outdoor swimming enclosure.

The new beach pathway provides easier access across the soft sand to help people who experience mobility challenges and parents with prams to get closer to the water.

Beach wheelchairs are available free of charge and can be booked from 8am-5pm, seven days a week by phoning the Geelong Yacht Club on 5229 3705.

During summer, one of the chairs is stored at the lifeguard room at Eastern Beach during patrol hours.

“Geelong is a leader in accessibility and social inclusion so it’s critical we do as much as possible to assist people living with disability have access to everything our beautiful region offers,” mayor Bruce Harwood said.

“The beach matting will also help parents with prams get across the soft sand to the water’s edge and be closer to their children while they’re in the water.”

Beach wheelchairs are also available at Portarlington (phone 5254 4000) and the Indented Head Boat Club (phone 0412 035 492), as well as in the Surf Coast Shire (phone 1300 132 441).