Chairs & Water

[The Jolly Zebra - Johnson]

I am a long-time detectorist, 80 yrs old. Starting about 8 years ago I found myself more and more reliant on walking-aids and now I am madly in love with my wheelchair (not). Before I try to reinvent the wheel, has anyone out there come up with a way for the "broken" human body to still hunt in surf water (nothing deeper than 18" to 24" with waves). I would go deeper, but since I don't swim, I would have to wear a life jacket, which would basically turn me into a human bobber (I don't think that would work well). My thanks in advance. I hate sitting on the shore watching you-all have all the FUN!!!!

 

[WaterWalker]

Something like one of these float fishing seats might work. Might want a paddle if you get blown into deeper water where you could not touch the bottom.

 

[The Jolly Zebra - Johnson]

Hey Water Walker, thanks for the rapid reply. I gave my old machine to my son and his son (White's 49'er) and purchased a new machine more in line with what I hope to do, a MineLab X-terra Pro. So, now I can handle a little water higher than my head for 1-2 minutes; but the bobbing cork problem remains.

 

[tvr]

I have seen these on the beach:

PVC Beach Wheelchair: Durable and Comfortable Design

Our PVC beach wheelchair offers a durable and comfortable design, perfect for navigating sandy terrains. Enjoy enhanced mobility and access at the beach.

www.accessrec.com

Plastic, so will not interfere with the detector trying to search for targets ... not sure how one might maneuver one by yourself. Possibly could motorize one with battery and motor mounted high in the back frame to keep that part out of the water. There are other ones with metal frames around too. There might be some non-profits who could assist ... would have to do some searching in the area you are located in.

 

[The Jolly Zebra - Johnson]

Hi TVR. Thanks for the reply - all good ideas and a special thanks for the link to the PVC chair. It is very different from any that I have seen.

 

[sonnar28]

I am a long-time detectorist, 80 yrs old. Starting about 8 years ago I found myself more and more reliant on walking-aids and now I am madly in love with my wheelchair (not). Before I try to reinvent the wheel, has anyone out there come up with a way for the "broken" human body to still hunt in surf water (nothing deeper than 18" to 24" with waves). I would go deeper, but since I don't swim, I would have to wear a life jacket, which would basically turn me into a human bobber (I don't think that would work well). My thanks in advance. I hate sitting on the shore watching you-all have all the FUN!!!!

You may want to consider a manual CO2 inflatable PFD to let you go out beyond the breakers. If there is not strong current, it is often quite gentle on the body at waist to chest depth as the deeper water takes away a lot of the gravity stress on joints.

 

[tvr]

You may want to consider a manual CO2 inflatable PFD to let you go out beyond the breakers. If there is not strong current, it is often quite gentle on the body at waist to chest depth as the deeper water takes away a lot of the gravity stress on joints.

The days with small waves and long period between waves are helpful too.

 

[The Jolly Zebra - Johnson]

TVR - I appreciate your response. I'll have to evaluate the buoyancy "bobber" effect along with the "drift" effect created by wind, current and tides.

It's beginning to look like a "hookah", shallow water diving rig, might make the most sense. But then, there are breakers to consider. NOBODY EVER SAID IT WOULD BE EASY!

 

[The Jolly Zebra - Johnson]

You may want to consider a manual CO2 inflatable PFD to let you go out beyond the breakers. If there is not strong current, it is often quite gentle on the body at waist to chest depth as the deeper water takes away a lot of the gravity stress on joints.

My wife really likes your idea. She said that she would need about 200' of good strong line and a large treble hook to tie on my belt and she would be all set for some shark fishing. I've never seen her so anxious to participate in one of my hobbies.

 

[tvr]

TVR - I appreciate your response. I'll have to evaluate the buoyancy "bobber" effect along with the "drift" effect created by wind, current and tides.

It's beginning to look like a "hookah", shallow water diving rig, might make the most sense. But then, there are breakers to consider. NOBODY EVER SAID IT WOULD BE EASY!

If you are looking that way, might try a snorkel in very shallow water first to see how it all feels for you.