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Brooke Aurora

Professor Harrison

RM 3210

24 June 2021

Beach Volleyball: Wheelchair Adaptation

Beach volleyball is one of the most popular recreation activities worldwide. It is believed

to have originated in Hawaii in 1915, but gained popularity in the early 1920s in Santa Monica,

California. Many locals claim that it is their favorite leisure activity. In 1996, it was finally

introduced into the Olympics. That was 25 years ago — I have yet to see or hear of an adapted

version of beach volleyball.

Every individual should have access to beach volleyball. It promotes hand-eye

coordination and concentration through focusing on the ball. It helps promote both sight and

hand processing movements. Additionally, beach volleyball teaches teamwork and good

sportsmanship. Working in teams also helps boost one’s confidence. Not to mention, Vitamin D

levels will be boosted from time in the sun — reducing depression, allowing for

anti-inflammatory effects, and building resistance against chronic conditions.

There are different aspects between beach volleyball and indoor volleyball. It is played in

the outdoor sand rather than an indoor court. The constant between the two is having two teams;

however, beach volleyball consists of two players each. For adaptation purposes, I prefer the

two-member teams over the indoor six-member teams.

My adaptation is geared towards leg-amputees, as well as individuals with Spina Bifida

and Scoliosis. All participants are to be within the wheelchair during the activity. I chose these

three disabilities to focus on due to having the needed arm strength to participate. Additionally, I
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chose a beginner level for my activity. I want everyone to be able to participate, no matter their

skills! All ages are welcome. I have attached more information regarding the disabilities below:

I. Leg-amputees:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/amputation

II. Spina Bifida:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/scoliosis

III. Scoliosis:

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spinabifida/facts.html

While wheelchair beach volleyball has yet to exist, there are similar adapted activities.

Two in particular are wheelchair tennis and adapted indoor volleyball. Wheelchair tennis is

adapted via a special type of chair. The chair is lightweight, making it easier to move around.

General rules of contact apply, although the wheelchair is considered part of the player.

Otherwise, all rules and policies remain the same. Adapted indoor volleyball has a lowered net,

and the net is reduced in size to 80cm in height. This is due to the players sitting on the ground

rather than being up in a wheelchair or standing.

For procedural/operational adaptations, I decided to lower the net. The same is adapted

within adapted indoor volleyball. Since the players will be lower to the ground in their

wheelchairs, they would need to exert extra arm force. I do not want to strain them, so it is best

to lower it to an appropriate height for all players. Either the players can come to a mutual

agreement on height, or the referee can lower it to what they deem necessary.

Environmental adaptations will include adding barriers along the outside of the court.

This will help create boundaries and alleviate potential injuries. Without boundaries, injuries
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could occur due to rushing to get the ball. The player may hit a rock, shell, or go too fast and hurt

themselves. With the boundaries, the ball will remain within the area.

As for human interventions, each player will have an assigned buddy. The buddy will

help move the player towards the ball, and also pick up the ball once it has hit the ground.

Having a buddy move the wheelchair will allow the player to utilize both arms to hit the ball. It

also decreases the chances of accidents from occuring.

Equipment adaptations include implementing All-Terrain Wheelchairs. The brand I have

chosen is the WheelEEZ Sandcruiser. I also reviewed the HammerHead All-Terrain Electric

Beach Wheelchair, but I opted for a manual wheelchair rather than automatic due to safety risks.

These risks may include acceleration that is too quick, and potentially creating accidents. The

paired buddy will control the wheelchair and is able to stop it before a potential accident occurs.

I. WheelEEZ Sandcruiser information:

https://wheeleez.com/product/sandcruiser-all-terrain-beach-wheelchair/

A. Many Florida beaches already have All-Terrain Wheelchairs at low-cost or

free of charge. These beaches include Venice, Lido, Manasota, Nokomis,

and Siesta.

II. WheelEEZ Sandcruiser example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zRNK8Z1enM

A. This would be my top choice of beach wheelchair for the activity.

I chose two different contacts that could assist me in executing my vision. My first

contact is Timothy Shriver, PH.D. He is Chairman of the Board for the Special Olympics. I chose

him as he is knowledgeable about adapted activities and could assist me in implementing the

activity and promotion. My second contact is Christopher Kornegay, a National Wheelchair

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Basketball Association Official for North Carolina. I chose him as he could help me understand

how to properly officiate the activity to the best of my ability.

If an individual is interested, they are able to sign-up free of charge. There are also

openings for scorekeepers as well if they want to be involved, but not play. There are no age

restrictions, and it is a beginner level. Other individuals with disabilities are welcome to

participate as long as they have upper-body strength.