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Coolum Beach Wheelchair Visual Story

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Arrival at Coolum Beach SLSC

Coolum Beach Surf Life Saving Club is on David Low Way in Coolum. The building has a modern design with concrete and glass features, and parking is available next to it, including accessible spaces off the main road. The arrival area has a designated drop-off zone. From there, carers walk down the hill to the SLSC Arena, identified by a tent on the beach, and notify the volunteer on duty.

The volunteer assists by retrieving and setting up the beach wheelchair. Coolum Beach is part of the Accessible Beaches Program, with beach matting and a WaterWheels Beach Wheelchair provided by the SLSC and Sunshine Coast Council.

A two-storey building with a large sign on the upper right side, featuring images and text. The lower part has a closed roller door and a "No Entry" sign. To the left, there are parked cars and trees. On the right, a large tree with spiky leaves and a white car. The ground is a mix of textured concrete and green-painted sections. The sky is clear with a few clouds.
A building with a large advertisement on the upper right side, featuring images and text about a bar and restaurant. Below, there are closed roller doors and a "No" sign on a white panel. On the left, a path leads past green grass and trees, with parked cars visible in the distance. The ground is a mix of textured concrete and green surfaces. The sky is clear and blue.
A coastal scene with a parking area in the foreground, featuring several vehicles including a white SUV, a yellow utility vehicle, and a black car. In the centre, a lifeguard tower stands elevated among trees. To the right, a curved building with glass balconies overlooks the ocean. A person is visible near the beach access, and a bicycle is parked nearby. The ocean is visible in the background.
A white utility vehicle is parked on the left, with a lifeguard surfboard mounted on top. Next to it, a yellow lifeguard buggy is visible. On the right, a lifeguard tower stands elevated, with a red and white design. In the foreground, there are bicycles parked near a large tree with exposed roots. The background features lush green trees and a glimpse of the ocean.
Hearing

Sounds

  1. Waves crashing
  2. Vehicles parking
  3. People chatting
  4. Birds chirping
  5. Wind rustling
Smell

Smells

  1. Salty sea air
  2. Fresh greenery
  3. Vehicle exhaust
  4. Ocean breeze
  5. Sunscreen
Touch

Feel

  1. Warm sun
  2. Cool breeze
  3. Concrete underfoot
  4. Soft sand
  5. Excitement
Sight

Sight

  1. Ocean view
  2. Modern building
  3. Safety cones
  4. Parked vehicles
  5. Beachgoers

How to book a beach wheelchair

The beach wheelchair and matting are managed by Volunteer Patrols, available during the summer patrolling season from September to April on weekends and public holidays. To book the wheelchair, visitors must complete an online form or scan a QR code by 3 pm on the last business day before they need it.

This allows the administration team time to organise paperwork and inform the relevant Patrol Captain. If visitors are unable to book prior to their visit and the chair is available, the Volunteer Patrol team will ask visitors to sign the user agreement/form. The wheelchair will then be available at the booked time.

Further details can be found here.

A person with grey hair is sitting on a black mat, holding a smartphone. They are wearing a green shirt and shorts. The ground is made of concrete with patches of discolouration. A pair of feet in sandals is visible at the bottom right. A blue object and a dark vertical structure are on the left side.
A person is holding a smartphone displaying the Coolum Beach Surf Life Saving Club website. The phone is in a black case, and the screen shows menu options like "About Us" and "Join Us". The person is wearing a green and black garment. In the background, there is a concrete surface with patches of green and a small black mat with circular patterns. A pair of feet in sandals is partially visible.
A person is holding a smartphone displaying a webpage about the Coolum Beach Surf Club. The phone is in a black case, and the person's hands are visible. They are wearing a green shirt and grey shorts. The background shows a concrete surface with patches of green moss or algae, and a small black mat with circular patterns is partially visible.
A person is holding a smartphone displaying a website about the Coolum Surf Club. The phone is in a black case, and the person is wearing a green shirt. The background shows a concrete surface with patches of moss or lichen, and a blue mat is partially visible on the left.
Hearing

Sounds

  1. Water splashing
  2. Birds chirping
  3. Distant chatter
  4. Footsteps on concrete
  5. Phone notifications
Smell

Smells

  1. Fresh air
  2. Sunscreen
  3. Wet concrete
  4. Nearby plants
  5. Salty air
Touch

Feel

  1. Warm sun
  2. Cool breeze
  3. Smooth concrete
  4. Soft mat
  5. Concrete underfoot
Sight

Sight

  1. Concrete floor
  2. Rubber mat
  3. Mobile screen
  4. Shadows of trees
  5. Sunlight

Where to collect the beach wheelchair

The beach wheelchair is stored in a lowset building. On arrival, visitors can inform the beach patrol captain if they have booked a wheelchair or would like to use one.

Volunteers assist in retrieving the wheelchair, but it is the responsibility of the carer or user to ensure the safety and handling information has been read and understood before use.

The pathway leading from the building to the sand is steep, and extreme caution is required when moving along this section.

A coastal walkway with a textured path runs alongside a stone wall on the right, topped with a building featuring a metal railing. On the left, a sandy beach is visible with people sunbathing and swimming. The beach is bordered by greenery and a metal railing. In the distance, trees and a rocky outcrop are visible. The sky is clear with a few clouds.
A sandy beach area with a ramp leading up to a building. Two people are pushing a wheelchair up the ramp. The building has a modern design with large windows and a flat roof. A stone wall lines the ramp, and there are signs and railings along the path. On the right, a person is walking up a separate path. Greenery is visible on the left side near the sand. A yellow sign at the bottom of the image indicates beach access.
A curved pathway runs through a park with green grass on the left and a stone wall on the right. People are sitting on the grass and along the wall. In the background, there are tall trees and a high-rise building.
A coastal scene with a sandy beach in the background, where people are enjoying the water. In the foreground, a stone and wood bench is on the left, and a paved path leads towards the beach. On the left, a building with large windows and a sign celebrating 100 years is visible. Green grass and trees are on either side of the path, with a few people walking on the right.
Hearing

Sounds

  1. Tires crunching/squeaking
  2. Birds chirping
  3. People chatting
  4. Seagulls calling
  5. Directional instructions
Smell

Smells

  1. Ocean breeze
  2. Salty sea air
  3. Fresh grass
  4. Sunscreen
  5. Food aroma
Touch

Feel

  1. Wheelchair fabric
  2. Warm/cool sand underfoot
  3. Slight vibrations
  4. Increased resistance
  5. Steady rhythmic push
Sight

Sight

  1. Safety cones
  2. Equipment
  3. Steep pathway
  4. Volunteers
  5. People relaxing

How to use the beach wheelchair

The WaterWheels Beach Wheelchair is for use only at Coolum Beach when volunteers from Coolum Beach Surf Lifesaving Club are on patrol. Avoid using the WaterWheels Beach Wheelchair in severe weather, rough currents, or unsafe conditions, and ensure all components are used correctly and inspected before use.

The user must be buckled in, wear a lifejacket, and be accompanied by a carer at all times, who should assess the ease of pushing the wheelchair and consult with lifesavers for water safety.

The WaterWheels Beach Wheelchair seat has three positions: one to transition the user and two reclining positions. These are adjusted by pulling a chain on the back for use and floating.

A man is seated in a beach wheelchair with large yellow wheels on a blue mat laid over the sand. Two women stand behind him, one wearing a lifeguard uniform. Orange cones mark the path. In the background, a stone wall with a railing separates the beach from a grassy area. A sign with beach safety information is visible, and there are people and beachgoers in the distance near the water.
A beach scene with a sandy foreground and a blue mat pathway leading towards the ocean. On the left, a person in a yellow and red lifeguard uniform assists a man in a beach wheelchair with large yellow wheels. Another person stands nearby. The background shows people enjoying the beach and the sea, with some sitting under a canopy. Orange cones line the pathway. A stone wall and greenery are visible on the far left.
A sandy beach with a blue access mat in the centre, leading towards the ocean. Two people, one in a "Surf Rescue" shirt, are pushing a beach wheelchair along the mat. Orange cones line the path. On the left, people are gathered near the water, some standing and others sitting. On the right, a group of people are near a yellow sign and a tent.
A blue mat stretches along the sandy ground in the foreground, bordered by sand on both sides. Two people in yellow and red uniforms stand in the middle, with small orange traffic cones nearby. On the left, a sloped black ramp leads up to a dark structure. On the right, a stone wall with a metal railing runs parallel to the ramp, with a blue rolled mat resting nearby. Greenery is visible at the edges of the ramp and wall.
Hearing

Sounds

  1. Waves splashing
  2. People chatting
  3. Seagulls calling
  4. Wind rustling
  5. Laughter nearby
Smell

Smells

  1. Salty air
  2. Sunscreen
  3. Ocean breeze
  4. Fresh seaweed
  5. Sand
Touch

Feel

  1. Seatbelt support
  2. Buoyancy/balance
  3. Slick & slippery tires
  4. Slight vibration/motion
  5. Cool water
Sight

Sight

  1. Ocean view
  2. Beach wheelchair & matting
  3. Colourful beach umbrellas
  4. Volunteers assisting
  5. Beachgoers relaxing

How to return the beach wheelchair

After using the WaterWheels Beach Wheelchair and life jackets, visitors should return them to the storage building in the same condition as when collected. All equipment must be checked carefully, and any missing or defective items such as pins, buckles, or protective coverings, should be reported when returning.

Users are responsible for any damage or loss, and carers must ensure the wheelchair is thoroughly washed to remove sand, dirt, and salt, using the beach showers provided nearby. This prevents deterioration and keeps the equipment ready for the next user.

For the return journey, the wheelchair client can be pushed back up the main hill or taken along the pathway to the left, which provides a gentler incline. This path also has showers for cleaning equipment and shaded seating for rest before departure.

A curved pathway runs through a grassy area. On the left, people are sunbathing on the grass near dense trees. On the right, a stone wall borders the path, with people sitting above it under more trees. In the background, a tall building rises against a clear blue sky.
A beach scene with a grassy area in the foreground, featuring a stone and brick bench on the left. A path leads towards the sandy beach in the background, where people are enjoying the ocean. On the left, a building with large windows displays a sign celebrating 100 years. Trees with dense foliage are on both sides, providing shade. The ocean is visible in the distance, with waves and beachgoers.
A coastal walkway with a textured path runs alongside a beach on the left, where people are sunbathing and swimming. A metal railing separates the path from the sandy beach. On the right, a stone wall supports a building with a balcony and railings. A bench is positioned along the path, and there are trees and shrubs in the background.
A building with a large balcony and glass railings is on the right. Two people are pushing a wheelchair with large yellow wheels up a ramp. On the left, there is a path with a metal railing and a small garden with green plants and a pair of sandals. The ground is a mix of concrete and gravel, and there is a stone wall supporting the building. A blue sky is visible above.
Hearing

Sounds

  1. Waves crashing
  2. People chatting
  3. Seagulls calling
  4. Footsteps on path
  5. Tires crunching/squeaking
Smell

Smells

  1. Ocean breeze
  2. Salty sea air
  3. Fresh grass
  4. Food aroma
  5. Sunscreen
Touch

Feel

  1. Slight vibrations
  2. Sand underfoot
  3. Cold water
  4. Elevated heart rate (steep pathway)
  5. Steady rhythmic push
Sight

Sight

  1. Ocean view
  2. People relaxing
  3. Trees & grass
  4. Sunlight
  5. Steep pathway
Two hands shaking Thankyou graphic

Thank You

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