2007 Zambia
2007 Zambia
Ethiopian boy in RoughRider
Boy in RoughRider wheelchair built in Ethiopia, circa 2005.
RoughRider users at disability awareness event in Tblisi, Georgia.
RoughRider users at disability awareness event, Tblisi, Georgia.
Testing RoughRider in Kenya, 2007.
Testing locally built RoughRider in Kenya, 2007.
Testing RoughRider in Kenya, 2007
Testing locally built RoughRider in Kenya, 2007.
RoughRider users in Tblisi, Georgia.
RoughRider users in Tblisi, Georgia.
Georgians preparing for basketball competition in locally built RoughRiders.
Georgians preparing for basketball competition in locally built RoughRiders.
Georgians resting after testing RoughRiders over rough terrain.
Georgians resting after testing RoughRiders over rough terrain.
Servicing RoughRiders in Lusaka, Zambia.
Servicing RoughRiders in Lusaka, Zambia.
Learning wheelchair archery in the Republic of Georgia
Learning wheelchair archery in the Republic of Georgia
Marc Krizack at workshop in Ethiopia
Marc Krizack (center) and colleague Alexander Afonin (right) at workshop in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian boy in RoughRider wheelchair
Boy in RoughRider wheelchair built in Ethiopia, circa 2005.
Practicing wheelchair archery
Wheelchair archery
Using RoughRiders purchased by Walkabout Foundation for distribution in Chile.
RoughRiders purchased by Walkabout Foundation for distribution in Chile.
RoughRiders manufactured in Veitnam, 2008
RoughRiders manufactured in Veitnam, 2008
RoughRider user in the Caucasus mountains in the Republic of Georgia.
RoughRider user in the Caucasus mountains in the Republic of Georgia.
Wheelchair obstabcle course training in Tblisi, Georgia.
Wheelchair obstabcle course training in Tblisi, Georgia.
Wheelchair archery
Wheelchair archery
Playing wheelchair badminton in the Philippines.
Playing wheelchair badminton in the Philippines.
Child learning to use wheelchair in Cali, Colombia.
Child learning to use wheelchair in Cali, Colombia.
Wheelchair marathoner in Tblisi, Georgia.
Wheelchair marathoner in Tblisi, Georgia.
Women participating in wheelchair archery event in Tblisi Georgia.
Women participating in wheelchair archery event in Tblisi Georgia.
Man testing early RoughRider prototype in Cali, Colombia
Testing early RoughRider prototype in Cali, Colombia
Young RoughRider users with Walkabout Foundation, Chile.
RoughRider users with Walkabout Foundation, Chile.
Children using RoughRiders at rehabiliation hospital
Children using RoughRiders at rehabiliation hospital in Ethiopia
Woman practicing wheelchair archery
Woman practicing wheelchair archery
Colleague, Chris Howard (left) assembling a RoughRider in Mexico.
Colleague, Chris Howard (left) assembling a RoughRider in Mexico.
2010 Haiti earthquake survivors in RoughRider chairs donated by the Walkabout Foundation.
2010 Haiti earthquake survivors in RoughRider chairs donated by the Walkabout Foundation.
Marc Krizack at World Health Organization in Geneva
Marc Krizack (right) at World Health Organization in Geneva
Wheelchair Track and Field in Colombia
Wheelchair Track and Field, Colombia
Kids chair rider in Cali, Colombia.
Kids chair rider in Cali, Colombia.
Preparing wheelchair obstacle course for new riders in the Republic of Georgia.
Preparing wheelchair obstacle course for new riders in the Republic of Georgia.
Man standing next to one of the first RoughRiders manufactured in Vietnam by Kien Tuong, 2007.
One of the first RoughRiders manufactured in Vietnam by Kien Tuong, 2007.
Wheelchair obstacle course in Kenya.
Wheelchair obstacle course in Kenya.
Man working in wheelchair workshop in Zambia, 2004.
Wheelchair workshop in Zambia, 2004.
Kids wheelchair fitting in Cali, Colombia, 2006.
Kids wheelchair fitting in Cali, Colombia, 2006.
Haitian child in RoughRider donated by Walkabout Foundation, 2010.
Haitian child in RoughRider donated by Walkabout Foundation, 2010.
Learning to ride their new RoughRiders, Vietnam, 2007.
Learning to ride their new RoughRiders, Vietnam, 2007.
Man practicing wheelchair archery in the Republic of Georgia.
Wheelchair archery in the Republic of Georgia.
Building a RoughRider at Kien Tuong in Vietnam
Building a RoughRider at Kien Tuong in Vietnam
Georgian disability activist riding the first ever RoughRider prototype (right) built in Norway.
Georgian disability activist riding the first ever RoughRider prototype (right) built in Norway.

Customizing and Ordering My Roughrider

Seat Width

To find the distance between your hips, first position yourself seated with pelvis upright on a firm surface. Then, measure the distance between the widest points of the hips and thighs without compressing any tissue. Finally, record your measurements. It is important not to have a chair that is wider than necessary as it will be harder to push and may prevent you from passing through narrow doorways.

Seat Depth

Position yourself seated upright on a firm surface. Measure the length of your upper leg, the distance from behind the knee to the back of the pelvis (back of your lower leg). Subtract 1/2” to find the maximum seat depth, to allow for space between the back of the knee/upper leg and seat fabric. Record the final measurement.

Backrest Height

Your preferred backrest height is determined by your personal comfort level and physical ability. Whirlwind recommends, generally, that the top of the back support should fall just beneath the bottom of the shoulder blade. For less active riders who require more torso support, the back support should be higher, falling just beneath the armpit. Position yourself seated upright on a firm surface. Hold your hands flat against the surface you are sitting on. Measure the distance from the seated surface to the desired, most comfortable point for support on your back. To this number add the height of your cushion when you are sitting on it. Record the measurement.

Preferred Backrest Angle

Backrest angles are determined by the torso control of the rider. Whirlwind recommends that those with less torso control, such as quadriplegics, sit with a backrest angled further backwards to avoid falling forward in a wheelchair. Those with more torso control, such as amputees, can sit with the backrest more upright. Proper backrest angle is best determined by an occupational therapist or healthcare professional. Although there is only one option – 8 degrees – in the drop-down list below, you can adjust the backrest angle by adjusting the backrest straps (i.e. looser at the bottom and tighter at the top for a more erect position).

Now please enter your measurements into the fields on the product page before ordering. For more information about measuring, please refer to the RoughRider Fitting Sheet. You are responsible for choosing the right chair for yourself. If you are uncomfortable with determining your wheelchair size, please consult a professional.