All-Terrain Wheelchair at the Skatepark: Meet Tony Hawking
Quick answer
Yes — a wheelchair user can absolutely shred at a skatepark with the right chair. Sam (cerebral palsy) rides his Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair at the Springville, UT skatepark and has earned the nickname “Tony Hawking” from TikTok fans. The Motus’s hydraulic disc brakes, balloon tires, and reclined seat geometry make rolling hills, banks, and even rails doable — no helmet skipping. We’ve visited skateparks across Utah, Tennessee, and Georgia. Skateboarders have been universally welcoming.
Sam and I love the skatepark in Springville, UT. It’s walking distance from his house, so we hit it whenever we have a free afternoon and feel like making another shredlord video.
Skatepark inclusion
Skateparks are one of many places Sam was excluded from for years because of his cerebral palsy. With the Extreme Motus off-road wheelchair, he can hit every obstacle in the park — including the crescent-moon rail that’s more often used as a bench than actually skated.
Our favorite obstacle is the rolling hills. The Motus rolls them so smoothly that with enough speed, I can launch Sam into the air for a brief moment of zero gravity. The chair’s hydraulic disc brakes mean I can stop hard without skidding. The reclined seat geometry keeps Sam stable even on the banked transitions.
Who is Tony Hawking?
I posted some clips of our skatepark stunts to the Extreme Motus TikTok and they racked up over 600,000 views in a few days. Commenters dubbed Sam “Tony Hawking” — a clever mashup of pro skateboarder Tony Hawk and physicist Stephen Hawking. The name stuck.
Sam and I have visited nearly every skatepark in Utah, plus a few in Tennessee and Georgia during Extreme Motus travels. On our first visit I was nervous — my stereotype of skateboarders had me bracing for cold reception. That fear was completely wrong. We’ve been welcomed at every park, cheered on when we land a trick, and never once gotten attitude. Skaters are some of the most inclusive people we’ve met on the road.
Wheelchair-friendly skateparks & pump tracks (Utah)
Parks Sam has hit, in rough order of how Motus-friendly they are:
- Springville Skatepark — our home park. Smooth concrete, rolling hills, banks, low rails. Excellent for an all-terrain wheelchair.
- West Valley Skatepark (West Valley City) — the largest in Utah. Lots of street and transition options. Big enough that you can find a quiet corner.
- Provo Skatepark — modern street plaza with garden beds and skatable obstacles. Smooth surfaces.
- Lehi Skatepark — well-designed mix of street and transition.
- American Fork Skatepark — variety of street and bowl features.
- Salt Lake City Skatepark (Liberty Park) — street and bowl, central location.
Pump tracks we’ve enjoyed:
- West Valley Pump Track (Centennial Bike Park) — fun layout, lots of room.
- Bluffdale Pump Track — well-designed with features for all skill levels.
- The Spoke Pump Track (Salt Lake City) — well-designed and fun in a Motus.
→ Find a Motus near your skatepark.
Not in Utah? Several adaptive sports programs and parks across the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK keep an Extreme Motus on hand for visitors. Find a location near you on our interactive map → — 59 spots and growing. Bring your helmet.
FAQ: All-terrain wheelchair at the skatepark
Can a wheelchair user safely use a skatepark?
Yes — with the right equipment, a helmet, and an aware crew. The Extreme Motus’s wide tires and hydraulic disc brakes give it skatepark-ready stability and stopping power. Stick to obstacles that match the chair’s geometry (rolling hills, banks, low rails) and skip the deep bowls or vert ramps. Always wear a helmet.
Will skateboarders mind if I show up in a wheelchair?
In our experience, no — the opposite. Skaters have universally welcomed us. The skatepark culture is more inclusive than people who don’t skate often realize. Show up, be respectful of the flow (don’t park in the middle of a popular line), and you’ll be fine.
What features should I look for in a skatepark-friendly wheelchair?
Big balloon tires (Wheeleez are great), hydraulic disc brakes for real stopping power, a reclined seat geometry that keeps the rider stable on banked surfaces, and a rigid frame that can take some shock. The 49-lb Extreme Motus checks all those boxes.
Can the Motus do tricks?
Define “tricks.” Air off the rolling hills — yes. Banks and quarter-pipes — yes. Grinds — no, the wheels aren’t designed for that. The Tony Hawking persona is mostly about catching air on the rollers, riding the hips, and the occasional rail attempt that ends in laughter.
Tony Hawking merch?
Someday I’ll get around to designing official Tony Hawking merch for Sam’s adoring fans. Until then, follow Sam’s adventures on the Extreme Motus TikTok and the YouTube channel.
Ryan Grassley
Owner, Extreme Motus
ryan@extrememotus.com
See the Extreme Motus · 2026 Price Guide
Since 2019, Sam and Ryan have been demonstrating that nature is wheelchair accessible with the Extreme Motus All Terrain Wheelchair. From National Parks to Skateparks, their adventures prove that a manual off-road wheelchair can offer laughter and joy while navigating diverse terrains.
Join us as we continue to share these inspiring journeys.
Light, comfortable, and compact, the Extreme Motus glides over sand, rocks, grass, gravel, and even floats in water.
It’s more than a outdoor wheelchair; it’s your ticket to freedom. Embrace the outdoors with confidence, knowing our off-road wheelchair is engineered for durability and ease of use.
Be the first to hear about new gear, upcoming adventures, and exclusive offers. As a welcome gift, enjoy $10 off your first Motus T-Shirt when you subscribe.
By subscribing you agree to receive marketing communications from Extreme Motus, including product updates, promotions, and special offers. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.