Disability Sports Sports News

Wheelchair Back Flip Video - Aaron Fotheringham

Aaron Fotheringham is the First person to peform a backflip in a
wheelchair. Read an interview with Aaron and see the video of his
amazing backflip.

Aaron Fotheringham is one of a small, but growing group of elite wheelchair athletes. Aaron is a "wheelchair skateboarder’, or as he prefers to call himself, a "Hardcore Sitter".

Wheelchair skateboarders do with their wheelchairs, what other athletes do with their skateboards. They make spectacular leaps and jumps from amazing heights and try not to injure themselves in the process. But Aaron has accomplished feats in his wheelchair, which no person has ever done before. Last year, he astonished the community with a mid-air 180 degree turn.

Then last month, at the age of 14, Aaron became the first person in history to do a back flip somersault in a wheelchair.

See the video of the wheelchair back flip

In a recent interview, Aaron discussed his record breaking backflip with Dr. Gene Emmer of NewDisability.Com.

Aaron told NewDisability that it took about 50 or 60 jumps into cushions, before he attempted a jump onto a ramp. Then after another 15 further attempts, sometimes resulting in getting knocked out, he managed to make a successful landing. Since then he has accomplished about 20 to 25 successful backflips.

Others have tried to make the jump but, according to Aaron, have not gotten the full rotation even into the foam cushions.

Aaron's jumps have been costly.

He has broken his elbow and gotten more than a few bumps and bruises, as can be seen in a video which documents some of his extreme wheelchair tricks.

John Box, of Colours Wheelchairs Aaron's sponsor, said, "Everyone at Colours is proud of Aaron. We are his biggest fans. Aaron works very hard to be the best. We are working closely with Aaron to further develop the Boing! suspension wheelchair so Aaron can keep pushing the limits."

Aaron Fotheringham to Perform at RehaCare Dusseldorf 2008

In 2007 he inspired the visitors of the German Disability Event "Rolliday" with his unique ability. Now Aaron Fotheringham will demonstrate for the German public at RehaCare 2008, why he calls his sport "Hardcore Sitting ".

The young American is the only wheelchair user who can perform a perfect Wheelchair Backflip. Aaron will perform his spectacular show "Born to Fly" on 15 and 16 October three times daily live in the sport arena (Hall 7a).

The organizers of the "Born to Fly" event at RehaCare are the Disabled Athlete's Federation North-Rhine/Westphalia as well as Schwalbe and Colours Wheelchairs. "Our common goal is to move Disabled Sports into the public consciousness and to advance the integration of people with handicaps," said Manuela Zahn, Sales and Marketing Manager of the company Schwalbe. "With an exceptional sportsman such as Aaron we will certainly succeed in awakening a broad public interest and enthusiasm."

John Box of Colours Wheelchairs said,

"We are so proud of sponsoring Aaron. Aaron personifies Colours' philosophy that there is life with disability. Aaron and Colours love to break barriers and do things that others would consider to be impossible. We look forward to accompanying Aaron while he amazes the crowds at RehaCare."

Apart from his appearances at the sports arena Aaron is available to his fans for autographs at the Schwalbe exhibition booth (Hall 6 C/63).

The times of the "Born to Fly" performances as well as the autograph hours are not yet known, however they will be published at the RehaCare exhibition.

About Schwalbe: ( http://www.schwalbe.com/language/ ) Behind the brand name Schwalbe is Ralf Bohle GmbH a European-wide market leader for bicycle and wheelchair tires. Four subsidiary companies are operated in England, France, Italy and the Netherlands in addition to a world-wide distribution network from the ultramodern logistics center in Reichshof founded in 1922. Beside the focus on continuous production development and improvement, Ralf Bohle GmbH sponsors numerous teams and individual athletes from sports ranging from wheelchair racing to hand bikes, for example the German National Handicapped Cycling Team.

About Colours Wheelchairs: ( http://www.colourswheelchair.com ) Colours is a US manufacturer of ultra-cool, ultra-light, innovative Wheelchairs. For example, the wheelchair that Aaron uses to perform his backflip is the Boing! the first wheelchair with four-wheel suspension. In addition, Colours markets innovative wheelchairs for everyday adult and pediatric use. Colours is seeking distributors and dealers in Germany and many other markets world-wide. Interested distributors are encouraged to contact Colours European Representative Dr. Eugene Emmer at +37067938726

Coordination of Press Appointments and further information contact:

Dr. Eugene Emmer

Colours Europe

Office: +37052123555

Mobile: +37067938726

http://www.newdisability.com

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