Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity

Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity

Hippocampe Beach and All-terrain Wheelchair

Lightweight all-terrain beach wheelchair designed for sand, trails, and outdoor mobility.

  • Self-propelled or caregiver-assisted mobility
  • Balloon wheels available for soft sand
  • Lightweight 37 lb frame with 286 lb capacity
Our Price: $4,950.00

Hippocampe Beach Wheelchair – 37 lb All-Terrain Sand Chair, 286 lb Capacity
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Description
Vipamat Hippocampe Beach & All-Terrain Wheelchair | MDS

The Vipamat Hippocampe is the beach wheelchair that keeps going when every other chair stops. Sand, sea, snow, trails, pools, and shallow water — the Hippocampe is purpose-built for the terrain standard wheelchairs cannot touch. For Southwest Florida families who want to get a loved one to the water's edge — and beyond it — this is the chair that makes that happen. No tools to assemble or disassemble. Folds and disassembles in under a minute. Wheels pop off by hand. 37.4 lbs. Floats. Self-propelled or caregiver-pushed. And when winter comes, an optional ski kit converts it for snowy trails. Made in France since 2002. ISO 13485 and FDA certified. The most versatile outdoor accessibility chair on the market.

All-terrain beach wheelchair · 286.6 lb capacity · 37.4 lbs · 4 sizes (S/M/L/XL) · sand, sea, snow, hiking, pools · self-propelled or pushed · corrosion-resistant · water-resistant closed-cell foam seat · no-tools disassembly · floats · Made in France · ISO 13485 & FDA certified. Available in multiple colors and optional accessory configurations.

Questions about size, accessories, or whether the Hippocampe is right for your situation? Call 866-218-0902 — Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM · Sat 9AM–3PM · Six SW Florida Showrooms · Nationwide Shipping

Where It Goes — Every Terrain Standard Wheelchairs Cannot Reach

🏖️Beach & Soft Sand
🌊Shallow Water & Swimming
🏊Pool & Aquatic
🥾Hiking Trails
⛰️Mountain Paths
❄️Snow (ski kit option)
🌿Grass & Gravel
🛶Waterside & Kayaking

What Makes the Hippocampe Different

It Floats — and It Goes In the Water The Hippocampe is designed for genuine water access — not just getting to the water's edge. The corrosion-resistant aluminum frame and stainless hardware allow full immersion. The closed-cell foam seat is waterproof, quick-drying, and fireproof. The Hippocampe floats, meaning a user can be eased into the sea or a lake in the chair itself. For adaptive aquatic sports — handisurfing, adaptive swimming, kayak transfers, water skiing — this is the purpose-built tool. For Southwest Florida families with beach access, a pool, or a boat, this is the chair that removes the last barrier between the person and the water.
No Tools · Ready in Under a Minute The Hippocampe is designed for real-world travel, not just occasional use. The backrest folds flat. The push bar detaches without tools. Both rear wheels pop off by hand in under a minute. When folded, the chair fits in the included transport bag (optional add-on) and stores in a car trunk, behind a door, or in a closet. Setup at the beach is the same — one minute, no tools, no frustration. For caregivers and families who use this chair regularly as part of an outdoor routine, the assembly speed makes the difference between a chair that gets used and one that stays in the garage.
Three Ways to Move · Design Award Winner · Made in France Since 2002 Self-propelled by the user (large rear wheels allow independent operation). Pushed by a caregiver via the push bar. Towed via traction kit for rough terrain assist. All three modes without modification. The Hippocampe has won multiple design awards for its modern, youthful silhouette — it doesn't look like medical equipment. ISO 13485 certified (international medical device quality management). FDA registered. Manufactured by Vipamat in France since 2002. Available in four frame sizes (S, M, L, XL) and multiple colors with accessories including headrests, arm supports, and optional balloon beach wheels for the deepest soft sand.
Perfect for Southwest Florida — Beach Access Without Compromise Venice Beach, Siesta Key, Tigertail, Delnor-Wiggins, Barefoot Beach, Fort Myers Beach — every beach in our area that is accessible by boardwalk stops at the end of the ramp. The Hippocampe keeps going onto the sand, to the water's edge, and into the Gulf. For families who have been watching from the boardwalk while everyone else is in the water, this is what changes that. We carry the Hippocampe at all six Southwest Florida showrooms. Come in and see it in person: 866-218-0902.

Full Specifications

Product Vipamat Hippocampe Beach & All-Terrain Wheelchair
Manufacturer Vipamat — Made in France
In production since 2002
Certifications ISO 13485 · FDA registered
Sizes available Small · Medium · Large · X-Large
Weight (all sizes, no options) 37.4 lbs (17 kg)
Weight capacity 286.6 lbs (130 kg)
Seat width (all sizes) 15.7"
Interior width (without armrests) 19.6"
Seat depth (all sizes) 14.5"
Back seat height (all sizes) 14.5"–18.5" (adjustable)
Seat height from ground 13.3" (all sizes)
Total width (all sizes) 26.7"
Total height (all sizes) 40.5"
Frame Corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy — full immersion capable
Seat material Closed-cell foam — waterproof · quick-drying · fireproof fabric
Wheels Oversized low-pressure all-terrain tires · hand-removable without tools
Propulsion modes Self-propelled · caregiver-pushed (push bar) · towed (traction kit)
Brakes Optional stainless steel parking brakes (add-on)
Floats Yes — designed for shallow water and pool use
Fold / disassembly No tools required · backrest folds · push bar detaches · wheels remove · under 1 minute
Colors available Multiple color options (frame and push bar selected at order)
Warranty 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty on parts from date of purchase

Size Chart — All Four Configurations

All sizes share the same seat width (15.7"), weight (37.4 lbs), and capacity (286.6 lbs). Size differences are in seat length and total/folded length only. Select based on the user's torso length and leg length, not hip width.

Measurement Small Medium Large X-Large
Seat length 28.3" 32.2" 36.2" 41.3"
Total length 66.9" 70.8" 74.8" 79.9"
Total length folded 45.6" 49.6" 53.5" 58.6"
Seat width 15.7" 15.7" 15.7" 15.7"
Seat depth 14.5" 14.5" 14.5" 14.5"
Back seat height 14.5"–18.5" 14.5"–18.5" 14.5"–18.5" 14.5"–18.5"
Seat height (ground) 13.3" 13.3" 13.3" 13.3"
Total height 40.5" 40.5" 40.5" 40.5"
Total width 26.7" 26.7" 26.7" 26.7"
Chair weight 37.4 lbs 37.4 lbs 37.4 lbs 37.4 lbs
Weight capacity 286.6 lbs 286.6 lbs 286.6 lbs 286.6 lbs
Size Selection — Call Before You Order Hippocampe sizing is based on the user's torso and leg length, not hip width — all four sizes have the same 15.7" seat width. Seat length determines which size is right. The manufacturer recommends users under 5'5" for the best fit. Call us with the user's height and we will help confirm the right size before you order: 866-218-0902.

Options & Accessories

Transport Bag Optional carry bag for storing and transporting the disassembled Hippocampe. Size-specific — select the transport bag matching your chair size at time of order. Makes vehicle storage and airline transport significantly easier.
Stainless Steel Parking Brakes Optional add-on for safety during transfers, on slopes, or on uneven beach terrain. Not included standard. Highly recommended for users who self-propel on sand or who transfer independently without caregiver assistance.
Balloon Beach Wheels (Rear) Wide low-pressure balloon tires for deep soft sand and shallow water access. Replaces the standard rear wheels. Essential for very soft sand beaches where standard tires would sink. Add at time of order.
Ski Kit (Front & Rear) Converts the Hippocampe from a wheeled all-terrain chair to a ski chair. Two rear skis attach to the frame; a front ski slides over the front wheel. Caregiver-assisted for snowy trails. Available as an optional add-on.
Traction Kit Allows a caregiver to tow the Hippocampe — useful on very steep trails or loose sand where pushing requires significant effort. The user sits comfortably while the caregiver assists from in front.
Headrest Optional headrest for users who need additional neck and head support. Particularly useful in water and reclining positions. Add at time of order.
Hippocampe Pool Wheelchair — Separate Dedicated Pool Model The standard Hippocampe is water-resistant and pool-capable via its stainless frame and materials. However, Vipamat also makes a dedicated Hippocampe Pool Wheelchair with additional features specifically designed for pool transfer and aquatic therapy environments. If pool access is the primary use case, call us to discuss whether the standard or pool-specific configuration is the better fit for your situation: 866-218-0902.
Warranty The Hippocampe carries a 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty on parts from the date of purchase. The warranty covers defective parts replacement. It does not cover damage from improper use or normal wear and tear from regular outdoor use. Register with Vipamat promptly after delivery: 866-218-0902.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — the Hippocampe is designed for genuine water access, not just water-adjacent use. The frame is made from corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy and stainless steel hardware, fully capable of saltwater and chlorinated pool immersion. The closed-cell foam seat is waterproof and quick-drying. The chair floats, which means a user can be eased from the shore into shallow water in the chair. It has been used for adaptive swimming, handisurfing, kayak boarding, and aquatic therapy. If pool use is the primary purpose, also ask us about the Hippocampe Pool model which is specifically configured for aquatic therapy environments.
No tools are required at any point. The rear wheels are hand-removable — pop off in under a minute. The push bar detaches by hand. The backrest folds flat. From assembled and ready-to-use to fully disassembled for transport takes one person approximately one minute. Setup at the beach is the same process in reverse. For families or caregivers who use the chair regularly as part of an outdoor routine, this speed and simplicity makes the Hippocampe a practical daily-use tool rather than a specialized item that takes effort to deploy.
All four Hippocampe sizes — Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large — share the same 15.7" seat width, 37.4 lb weight, and 286.6 lb capacity. The size refers to seat length (28.3" to 41.3") and determines the total and folded chair length. Sizing is based on the user's torso length and leg length, not hip width. The manufacturer recommends users under 5'5" for the best fit with a Medium frame. Call us with the user's height and leg measurements and we will recommend the right size before you order: 866-218-0902.
Yes. The Hippocampe has large rear wheels that allow self-propulsion — the same principle as a standard manual self-propelling wheelchair. On flat packed sand or wet sand near the water's edge, most users with adequate upper body strength can propel independently. On very deep soft dry sand, self-propulsion is more difficult and a caregiver push or traction kit assist is helpful. The optional balloon beach wheels (wider, lower-pressure tires) significantly improve self-propulsion performance on soft sand by increasing the contact surface area and reducing sink-in.
Yes. The Hippocampe was designed from the ground up for all-terrain outdoor use — sand, gravel, grass, dirt paths, forest trails, and mountain terrain. The oversized low-pressure all-terrain tires handle the same terrain variation as a light trail bike tire. For steep trails or very loose terrain, the optional traction kit allows a caregiver to tow from the front while maintaining chair control. The ski kit (separate add-on) converts the chair for winter use on snowy trails.
The standard wheels handle packed sand, wet sand, and the firmer beach terrain near the water's edge very well. The optional balloon beach wheels are specifically for very soft, deep dry sand — the upper beach area away from the water where standard tires sink. If you plan primarily to get a user to the water's edge and into the water, the standard wheels are typically sufficient. If you need to traverse soft dry sand for any significant distance, the balloon wheels are a worthwhile addition. Not sure which applies to your beach? Call us: 866-218-0902.
Yes — with the wheels removed and the backrest folded, the Hippocampe fits in most car trunks. Folded lengths range from 45.6" (Small) to 58.6" (X-Large). The optional transport bag further compresses and organizes the components for storage and vehicle transport, and makes airline travel significantly simpler. The chair meets most airline checked-mobility-equipment size and weight guidelines — confirm with your specific carrier before travel.
Brakes are not included by default. For users who transfer into and out of the Hippocampe independently — or who use it on slopes, ramps, or uneven terrain — the optional stainless steel parking brakes provide an important safety feature. The stainless steel construction means they are corrosion-resistant for beach and water use. We recommend adding them for most users, particularly those who self-propel or who are being transferred by a single caregiver without a second person to stabilize the chair. Add at time of order: 866-218-0902.

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Try It In Store — Six Southwest Florida Showrooms

We carry the Hippocampe at all six showrooms. For families planning a beach trip, a vacation, or looking to make outdoor access a regular part of life for someone with limited mobility — come in and we will walk you through the setup and breakdown in person. It is easier than you expect. Walk-ins welcome at all six locations.

Venice · 1180 Jacaranda Blvd · 941-497-2273
Sarasota · 3672 Webber St · 941-923-7556
Port Charlotte · 4265 Tamiami Trl., Unit E · 941-743-6644
Fort Myers · #170 College Pkwy · 239-482-6111
Naples · 13030 Livingston Rd. #2 · 239-529-2242
North Port · 14824 S. Tamiami Trl. · 941-282-9676

📞 866-218-0902 · Monday–Friday 9AM–5PM · Saturday 9AM–3PM · Nationwide shipping available

Hippocampe Beach and All-terrain Wheelchair
Technical Specs
Specifications
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