The Oregon Coast is known for its stunning beaches, rugged cliffs, and breathtaking ocean views. And everyone has a right to access these incredible public lands. David’s Chair has been working to make this right a reality.

What is David’s Chair?

David’s Chair is a nonprofit organization that facilitates outdoor access in order to enrich the lives of individuals experiencing mobility challenges. The organization maintains a fleet of ActionTrack Chairs, which allow users to navigate outdoor terrains with ease. These chairs are available at no cost, removing financial barriers to access. 

Who is David’s Chair for?

David’s Chair is for anyone who faces challenges accessing the outdoors. David’s Chair does not require a medical diagnosis for a user to rent a chair, ensuring that anyone who struggles with mobility—whether due to aging, injury, or a medical condition—can participate.

Features of the ActionTrack Chairs

David’s Chair offers a variety of ActionTrack Chairs, each designed to help users explore diverse landscapes. They can ride over rough terrain and be submerged in up to 4 inches of water, which is perfect for the Oregon Coast, where you’ll want to get close to the ocean sprays. While the organization has a variety of chair types, some typical features include:

  • Speed & Control: Chairs move at a moderate pace and can be controlled by the user with a right or left handed joystick or, in some cases, a second person using a remote cord attached to the back of the chair.
  • Adjustable Seating: While some chairs remain in a fixed sitting position, others can be raised to allow users to stand. Most chairs allow users to tilt their seat angle, adjust the footrest to a comfortable height, and flip up the arms. 
  • Comfort: Chairs typically have adjustable back cushions that provide lateral support, a base cushion to relieve friction and pressure, cushioned arm pads, and flip-out cushioned leg pads for stand-up chairs.
  • Safety: All chairs have safety harnesses to ensure the user feels secure, ranging from a lap seatbelt for seated chairs to a four-point harness for chairs that allow the user to stand.

David’s Chairs occasionally move between locations due to maintenance, so if you need a chair with a specific feature, reach out in advance to confirm its location and availability.

How to Rent a Chair

The rental process is simple and designed to minimize barriers.

Step 1: Choose Your Rental Type

David’s Chair offers two primary rental options, depending on the location:

Tow ’N Go

The Tow ’N Go option includes an ActionTrack Chair inside a fully enclosed trailer designed with a rear door that converts into a ramp when opened. The trailer easily connects to your personal vehicle for transport to your recreational location of choice.

Tow ’N Go Chairs are currently available for pickup in two towns on the Oregon Coast: Coos Bay and Gold Beach. David’s Chair recommends Tow ’N Go bookings be submitted two or more weeks in advance to allow for processing.

Fixed Location

Fixed Location Chairs are housed on or near an outdoor recreation site, and intended to be used only at that location. “Each one of our locations is a little different. It’s unique based on what the community has to offer,” said Jeff Kallevig, the David’s Chair Operations Manager.

Fixed Location Chairs are currently available in the following towns on the Oregon Coast:

  • Seaside
  • Manzanita
  • Rockaway Beach
  • Netarts
  • Pacific City
  • Newport
  • Florence
  • Gold Beach

Step 2: Make a Reservation

Visit the David’s Chair website and navigate to “Request a Chair” to choose either Tow ’N Go or Fixed Location.

After choosing your reservation date and time, you’ll be prompted to complete some brief forms. David’s Chair ensures this process requires as little paperwork as possible. “Their site is wonderful. It’s super, super easy to use,” said Jean Novitsky, who cares for her husband Jim, a frequent David’s Chair user.

A volunteer will confirm your reservation and answer any last-minute questions. Phoenix Plough, a David’s Chair volunteer and user, said, “I’ll usually text or call the rider the day before just to introduce myself, confirm the reservation, make sure they don’t have any questions or concerns, and make sure they know where they’re going.”

On-Site Experience

Tow ’N Go

When you arrive at the Tow ’N Go pick-up location, chairs will already be in a David’s Chair trailer, ready to be attached to your personal vehicle. You are free to use these chairs on your own adventures. David’s Chair will send over information about how to charge your chair and maximum duration of use depending on what terrain you are visiting. Once your rental period is complete, simply return the trailer to its original location. 

Fixed Locations

If you are renting a fixed location chair, you’ll arrive 15 minutes before your booking time to meet your volunteer. The volunteer will take care of all the prep work, and can even drive the chair right next to your car. They will also give you a brief orientation to ensure you feel comfortable with the chair controls.

And that’s it! “You show up here, they help you get into the chair and you’re free. Literally free to go up and down the beach for up to two hours. It’s phenomenal,” said Jean.

Exact rental times vary, but all fall within 1 to 2 hours, depending on the rental location. You’ll be free to ride independently during this time, but the volunteer will give you their number in case you need any help.

Give the volunteer a call or text 15 to 20 minutes before you’re done, and they will come back and take care of the clean up—so all you’re responsible for is enjoying the outdoors.

User Experience

Phoenix Plough is not only a David’s Chair volunteer, but also a user. “It changed everything—the freedom that it gave me,” she said. “I was able to get out on the beach independently and just go and feel the wind on my face and move safely and know that I wasn’t going to fall and just enjoy my favorite place. And the freedom that that gives me, and the fact that now that I can participate in that and help to share that with other people is just amazing.”

In her role as a volunteer, Phoenix often works with Jim Novitsky, one of David’s Chair’s most frequent users. Jim and his wife Jean have a longstanding tradition of visiting a beach every Sunday. David’s Chair has helped them maintain that tradition in the face of Jim’s neurological disability.

“It’s about getting around and doing things. Being outside and doing things I couldn’t normally do. So I look forward to Sundays—a big part of that is David’s Chair,” said Jim.

“It’s been wonderful for us. Not only for him, but for me too,” said Jean. “Even though David’s Chair was initially for the person [with a disability], the caregiver also gets a huge break—total relaxation and rejuvenation. And there’s no other way to describe how good it is.”

Ready to experience independence and freedom? Visit David’s Chair online to reserve your track chair today!