Paraboards are built for you!
Built to enjoy adrenaline pumping thrills, designed for long lasting fun. Modular parts means easy and inexpensive repairs at the shop or at home. Paraboards are made to get you riding parallel to your friends no matter how they roll. (representative photo, the final version may vary slightly)
Paraboards Features
Easy Mount and Go!
After initial setup the board can be mounted to your chair in seconds and you are off.
Once the initial fitting is completed your Paraboard takes only a second to mount and go. You can leave it by the door and zip across town with ease on this fun and versatile device.
An Unparalleled Ride!
People will notice when you roll by, and you will love the way it feels to make your chair really move.
Tackle bumps, cracks and potholes with ease due to the large rolling diameter and four powered front wheels. People will hear you coming as your motors wind up for a pass and everyone will look to see what the heck you are riding.
Built For You!
Designed from the start by a wheelchair user and meant to fit your active lifestyle.
Designed, tested, and built with you in mind! Our founder and inventor of paraboards is a paraplegic who has used a manual wheelchair for over 20 years. Paraboards are built for you by someone a lot like you.
A World of Possibilities!
We are excited by the ride Paraboards offers, but we can't wait to see what you do with yours.
We have found it to be great fun riding Paraboards along with friends, zipping to the store, running the dog, getting across campus, going on long days on concrete, and just a whole lot of fun for exploring and recreation. What are you going to do with it? Tag us on social media and we would love to show off how you ride!
Technical Specifications
Range: up to 15 miles per charge.
Maximum speed: up to 25 mph.
Motor power: 4 x 500 watt hub motors.
Wheel size: 105 mm lightly treaded impact absorbing wheels
Contained battery type: Lithium-Ion
Battery power: 2 x 36v 5 aH.
Nominal operating voltage: 36 V
Electric charger: dual 2 amp chargers with 120V plugs.
Wheelchair Compatibility: Manual Wheelchairs with Rigid frames and fixed footplates.
Push wheel Compatibility: Spinergy Sport SPOX or HD Sport SPOX wheels.
(All others were destroyed during testing)
Compatible wheel diameter: 22, 24, 25 or 26 (501, 540, 559 or 590 mm)
User weight Capacity: 100 to 300 lbs (45 to 136 kg)
Dimensions:
Width 30 in. Depth, 13 in. Height, 4 in.
Mount height varies based on application.
Total weight: Approximately 25 lbs (~11.3 Kilo).
Operating Temperature:
1° F to 100° F (-17° C to 38° C).
Higher temperature will affect service life. Lower temperatures will also affect charging and will reduce the effective capacity by 20%-30% (affecting the mileage). It is recommended to store the battery in a dry environment of 30° to 80° F and charge it with the supplied chargers.
The stated values are from testing with a 200 lb. occupant. The range, speed, longevity etc. vary depending on driving conditions.
The Ordering Process
Paraboards is a small company and we build each board to order customized for each person's specific needs and chair. As such, our ordering process is so personalized that each order will be handled by the founder. Follow these steps if you are ready to get riding and want to start the process:
3. We will begin building your board right away.
Paraboards are here to create fun products for you to shred on!
Our mission is to provide affordable, fun, high quality custom wheelchair attachments that blur the lines between mobility aids and recreational vehicles. Our goal is to continue innovating cool fun and functional machines for the wheelchair community to enjoy. We intend for the next generation of wheelchair users to have new sports and sporting possibilities available because of what our devices make possible. We know how wonderful it feels to be included in outdoor activities and be able to keep up. You can trust paraboards to deliver high quality, fun and exciting products like the flagship Paraboards Essentials and Elite we are currently building.
Benjamin S. Woodford Ph.D. invented and founded Paraboards because he is a T4 Paraplegic with a Spinal Cord Injury from 20+ years ago. After riding almost every wheelchair toy available and owning most of them during his time as a wheelchair user, he wanted more fun, more speed, more reliability, and more affordability. To increase the smiles per hour in his personal everyday chair, he invented Paraboards. After riding various prototypes and refining the idea for almost 7 years, finally Paraboards LLC as a company was born.
How do other devices measure up to Paraboards?
We know you are careful when you choose what devices to buy. There is nothing like a Paraboard, not even close. The current offerings for power add-ons for wheelchairs are slow and not designed for speed. At Paraboards we believe that many wheelchair users enjoy lots of fun sports, speed, and adrenaline. Your products should reflect you and your personality. We think products that move you should be fun, and fast, like you. You are the hero out there braving the streets, pounding the pavement, and kicking butt at life out there. If your personality is all about fun, excitement, speed, and enjoying everything life has to offer, then you are in the right place. Check out the side by side comparison to see how the competition compares to Paraboards.
Choose Paraboards for a thrilling, custom personal electric vehicle for manual wheelchairs that boosts your speed and supercharges your ability. Enjoy long-lasting durability, relatively easy repairs, and tons of fun. Don't miss out on these early limited runs – Get your order in now and feel the rush of the power boost, with Paraboards!
Make Paraboards part of your story!
At Paraboards we know many wheelchair users are the kind of people who want to live life to the fullest, often that is how we end up needing a wheelchair in the first place.
But to be the adrenaline-fueled badass you have always been, you now need expensive equipment. The problem is that wheelchair-oriented products are overpriced, and usually the more fun they are the more they cost to get started. Which makes people like us feel frustrated and left out of a lot of the fun being had by our able-bodied peers.
At Paraboards we believe Wheelchair products should be reasonably priced and just as fun as similar products made for able-bodied people. Not medical and boring, or made so safe that we can’t hurt ourselves again. That's why our slogan is:
Have fun, ride safe, and don't break your back, again.
We understand at Paraboards how it feels to be filled with passion for life but not have the same options for cool toys that everybody else has. That’s why we invented Paraboards: to have make it easy to have fun, ride safely with appropriate safety gear, and ride smart and aware so our favorite people, customers, do not get hurt.
Do you want to be part of a movement and one of the first Paraboarders?
Here’s how you can get started:
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Get on the waiting list and put down your deposit.
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Get a call from our founder to discuss options and the perfect style for your Paraboard, then pay the invoice in full.
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We will get started building your new Paraboard right away to your exact specifications.
You should have your Paraboard delivered approximately 1-4 weeks after ordering (Depending on the availability of parts).
Reach out today so you can stop feeling like you used to be a thrill seeker.
Start riding Paraboards today like the badass you are meant to be!
Paraboards Models:
We currently have three possible options for purchasing Paraboards. Read about the differences between each one below and decide which option is best for you.
Refurbished Paraboards
Sometimes we have extra parts around that we can turn into a nice board. Finish state and style will vary usually comes with some dents and scratches preinstalled.
No options.
Price: $2534.99
Paraboards Essentials
This is a brand new custom built Paraboard with stock colors and artwork. Built to order after completing the purchase.
Options for battery & motor size.
Price: $3299.99
Paraboards Elite
The elite package gets you all the customization of the essentials board while also allowing for custom colors and artwork. This is the ultimate in personalized style.
Options for battery & motor size, artwork, and finishes.
Price starts at: $3599.99
Pre-release Testimonials
Stephen Mackelprang
(adventurer/amputee)
@realmacksteve
"It will give far more access to people who need a power chair to travel distances, be more affordable, and practical. It's Brilliant!”
Gabriela Lipson
(Scooter User/Stanford Student)
@gabilipson
"I was impressed and amazed seeing one of the Paraboards zip around. I've seen many different adaptive sports with surfboards, wakeboards, etc. but never anything like this! Paraboards are going to be awesome for skaters!"
Anna Tee
(Early Prototype Demo Rider)
@annatee.co
"Paraboards are incredible! The controls are easy to use, and the board maneurvers the chair so well. It goes so fast and is so much fun to ride!"
Janine Morris
(able body companion)
“We went through town pulling me on rollerskates behind the Wheelchair on a Paraboard. It was such a fun experience! People stopped to watch and one person even yelled: 'that's the coolest thing I've ever seen!'"
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Where can I get Paraboards?We are a small company and currently only do factory direct sales through our website. As of the time this was written, there is nothing like Paraboards out there for wheelchair users. Although we expect there to be imitators, we are the original and first Personal Electric Vehicle (PEV) for wheelchair users. We take care to look after every customer this way and will support your riding experience however we can.
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What kind of chair are Paraboards made for?Paraboards are designed to attach to rigid frame manual wheelchairs with fixed footplates. The mount connects the board to the footplate and the rider is off to enjoy all that the world has to offer. The freedom and speed transforms your rigid manual chair into a rocket ship.
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Does my chair need special big wheels to ride Paraboards?YES! We have tested The Paraboards on every type of wheel we had sitting in the garage and every one of them failed due to the increased speed, except the Spinergy Sport SPOX HD wheels. These wheels are very rugged for high impact wheelchair sports and have held up after years of testing. Our unmodified daily used test chair also has held up to the extra strains with no problems. CAUTION: Extreme sports like Paraboarding incur extra wear and tear on your equipment and increase the likelihood of accidents and high-speed collisions. Use caution when riding and be prepared to fix your equipment at the first sign of damage. Do not ride your Paraboard at speed without a functioning wheelchair and the proper wheels fitted.
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How much are Paraboards?The prices may fluctuate as we finalize suppliers and partners. The most current pricing can be found on the webstore. Check back often for deals or join our email list to get special offers direct to your inbox.
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Who invented Paraboards? Why?Paraboards were invented by Dr. Ben, a complete T4 paraplegic. When PEVs started becoming popular, Dr. Ben wanted one. So he bought components and started conceptualizing a proof of concept. The very first model was rough but it proved it was possible. The next prototype was a rocket ship right out of the gate. After riding it for a few years and getting lots of positive feedback, bewildered questions, and requests to build more. Dr. Ben decided to create Paraboards LLC and begin the long road to making Paraboards commercially available for people like himself to be able to enjoy this amazing sport he sort of accidentally invented. So when you strap your board to your chair the first time, you are just like Dr. Ben, riding something nobody else thought should exist but absolutely needs to be a thing available for all of us wheelchair-riding badasses who want to feel the wind in our hair.
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How are Paraboards powered?Each of our hand assembled Paraboards are powered by four electric hub motors powered by two lithium ion batteries. The hub motors are 500 watts each for a total of 2000 watts of power available. The lithium ion batteries are 36v 5Ah x 2 batteries located inside the board assembly.
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How are Paraboards controlled?Paraboards are controlled by two handheld controllers that control each side of the board independently. Similar to how a wheelchair is controlled, the left-hand controls the left side, and power (pushing) on the left turns right, while braking on the right will also turn right. Once you get used to the gobs of available power it is very intuitive and fun to ride. You will be powering through the turns at speed in no time. Additionally, the rider's weight has a lot of impact on the handling of the board. Riders must shift their weight to distribute the power where they want it as they carve turns and navigate switchbacks.
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What wear items will need replacing on Paraboards?The tires are the most notable wear item. Because of the nature of the way Paraboards handle, there is a fair amount of controlled sliding that happens which puts wear on the tires. Depending on the style of riding and tires being used they can wear out more fast or slow. Luckily they are among the most cost effective items to replace and once you have a Paraboard you can expect to ride it for many years to come. Also, each of the additional replacement parts are capable of being replaced with little worry about compatibility or availability. Your wheelchair will also wear through tires more quickly due to the speed that Paraboards make available. Be ready to keep your big wheels with fresh tires and proper air inflation when you plan to ride your new Paraboard.
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How do I mount a Paraboard to my chair?Initially, you follow a setup procedure to mount the board to your chair. It takes a few minutes and requires a few hand tools and a small drill. The setup isn't easy but it is doable by anyone who can follow directions and use tools. A wheelchair user with good hand function and some mechanical confidence can accomplish it alone. Having an able-bodied helper is always a bit easier. I suggest you recruit a friend to help who wants to go riding with you once it's set up. After the initial installation, mounting the board is quick and easy. You roll up and wheelie onto the board mount. Move your feet to attach the strap. Put your feet back in place. and go. It is very helpful to be a wheelie master because once the board is mounted, tight turns in confined places are much easier achieved by lifting the board doing a wheelie, and turning the direction you need to go. Paraboards are intended for outdoor use and in open areas intended for skating and other related sports.
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Are Paraboards safe?Yes, and no. The construction is high quality and assembled/fabricated in the USA. We use high-quality components sourced from China and the quality is on par with any other commercially available Personal Electric Vehicle. We stand behind Paraboards as a high-quality well made and painstakingly constructed top-tier product. With that said, Paraboarding is inherently a dangerous sport. Proper safety equipment, attention to your surroundings, and riding within your ability level are necessary for your Paraboards experience to be considered safe. Most products built for wheelchair users are medical equipment and must be safe and sane to be covered by medical insurance. Paraboards are a commercially available consumer product like every other PEV built for able-bodied people. We don't detune, downgrade, or limit the capacity of our products to cater to able-bodied people's well-intentioned concerns for our safety as wheelchair users. Instead, we believe wheelchair users are just as capable as everyone else for enjoying high-speed, safe, sane riding or a product that can absolutely get them in trouble due to the sheer speed and stopping power available. At Paraboards our motto is: Have fun, ride safe, and don't break your back, again. We mean it, enjoy yourself, wear safety equipment, and get out there to start Paraboarding!
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What items do you need to check prior to riding?Your wheelchair should be in good working order. Your tires need to be inflated to a proper PSI and with good tread. Your Paraboard should be inspected as well. Tighten any loose bolts, inspect the tires and controllers for damage. Make sure your board is fully charged and both controllers as well. Wear your helmet, elbow pads, gloves, and any other safety equipment you deem necessary for a fun, safe, and enjoyable experience that is appropriate to the riding conditions.
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Have you ever had a wreck when testing?Yes, a couple. They hurt. But I was wearing proper safety gear for most of them and luckily no damage happened. While Paraboarding is a fun sport, and can be enjoyed and regular speeds, it also allows fast speeds that require special care, proper safety gear, and the riders full attention.
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Can I ride Paraboards in the rain?No! There are two reasons not to ride your new Paraboard in the rain. First, the tires become extremely slippery when wet. Sacrificing maneuverability and control which makes the board unsafe to ride in the rain. Also, while the motors are robust and durable, getting electronics wet generally has ill effects. We have found that motors that got wet, even one time, crashing through a puddle, have decreased lifespan and need to be replaced more often.
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Do I need to use a seatbelt?We ask this question around the water cooler all the time. We believe there are two trains of thought and you need to decide what is best for you. In the event of a catastrophic wreck, you will either be connected to the chair or thrown from the chair. If you are thrown, you could land somewhere soft. Or somewhere very damaging. But if you are connected to the chair, you will be connected to whatever happens. Between the weight of a chair and the board and whatever caused the wreck, that could be worse. So the determination we have made for ourselves is to go without a seatbelt. We believe a seatbelt is better to avoid minor wrecks but makes things worse in major wrecks. We trust our customers to make informed decisions and recognize the severity of the implications of our choices. Then make those choices anyway., you can decide what is best for you.
Tired of the wheelchair power that can't keep up?
Paraboards boost your ride and make your chair move!
Designed to meet your needs. - Be the first of your friends to be rolling in style with a custom Paraboard built just for you. Paraboards is a brand-new custom recreation product purpose-built for wheelchair users and currently with limited availability for enthusiastic early adopters. Get one while you can! - The biggest problem with new wheelchair products? Spending the money is a big risk. The company might go out of business and you can't get parts. Then what if the product is junk or can't be fixed? - Unlike other companies, our products are compatible with available hardware. So, no matter how long you ride, you can repair it yourself, even if Paraboards LLC isn't around. Once you ride you will want to all the time because it’s that fun to ride! - Don't get left behind while your friends ride all over on their personal electric vehicles. Start riding with Paraboards today and set the trend for personal electric mobility badassery!
Learn More About Paraboards
Click on each of the links below to learn more about the story of how Paraboards was founded, features, help with learning how to ride, or what gear you need to be up and running when your own Paraboard arrives.
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