Where can I borrow a Hippocampe in Quebec?

The Hippocampe is a beach wheelchair specially designed to operate on sand. This water-resistant equipment has two rear wheels and one front wheel. With its detachable wheels, you can use balloon wheels to go into the water, inflatable wheels for buoyancy and skis for snow.

Borrow a Hippocampe at the beach

A growing number of Quebec beaches offer adapted facilities and equipment. This includes accessible paths, beach access mats and Hippocampes, the popular beach wheelchairs that so many people enjoy!

Parc national d’Oka Beach (Laurentides)

• Hippocampe wheelchair available for use (for the beach or trails)
• Accessible washroom facilities including shower and toilet
• Paved multi-use trail
• Entry and parking fee
• CAL accepted
• Washroom facilities are locked at all times. Guest must ask for the key at the reception office.

Saint-Zotique Beach (Montérégie)

• Hippocampe wheelchairs available for use
• Accessible swing
• Wading pool with access ramp
• Accessible picnic tables
• Accessible toilets (unverified)
• Entry fee
• CAL accepted

Longueuil municipal Beach (Montérégie)

• Hippocampe wheelchair available for use (free)
• Accessible toilets (unverified)
• Paid parking but free beach access

Haldimand Beach (Gaspésie)

• Beach access mat
• Hippocampe wheelchair available for use
• Free entry
• Partially accessible washroom facilities
• Refer to the Kéroul sheet for further details
• See TVA report

Belley Campground and Beach (Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean)

• Hippocampe wheelchair available for use
• Entry fee (parking included)
• Accessible toilets (unverified)

Douglass Beach (Cantons-de-l’Est)

• Hippocampe wheelchair available for use
• Paid parking
• Accessible toilets (unverified)

Jean-Doré Beach at Parc Jean-Drapeau (Montréal)

• Two Hippocampe wheelchairs available for use
• Accessible sidewalk to move around facilities
• Accessible toilets (unverified)
• Entry and parking fee
• CAL and Access 2 Card accepted

Parc régional des Iles-de-Saint-Timothée Beach (Montérégie)

• Hippocampe wheelchair available for use
• Entry fee (parking included), except for residents
• Accessible toilets (unverified)
• Accessible trails
• Accessible picnic tables

Borrow a Hippocampe in a park or a sports center

Parcs de la Rivière-du-Moulin et de la Rivière aux sables  (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean)

• Hippocampe wheelchair rental
• Adapted bicycle rental
• Safety helmets provided
• Accessible trails
• Map of safe cycling route provided

Pavillon des Croisières internationales (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean)

• Hippocampe wheelchair rental
• Adapted bicycle rental
• Safety helmets provided
• Accessible trails
• Map of safe cycling route provided

Centre Mario-Tremblay (Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean)

• Hippocampe wheelchair available for use
• Accessible pool (lift, adapted steps, access ramp)
• This equipment can be used at the swimming pool or beach and on the city’s trails

Borrow a Hippocampe at an outdoor public pool 

Certain outdoor swimming pools in and around Montréal provide aquatic wheelchairs. For the most part, swimming is free but each pool and borough manage their rates. Be sure to check in every case.

Complexe aquatique du Parc Jean-Drapeau (Montréal)

Piscine Ouellette (Arrondissement LaSalle)

Piscine Baldwin (Arrondissement Plateau-Mont-Royal)

Piscine Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier (Arrondissement Plateau-Mont-Royal)

Piscine Maria-Goretti (Arrondissement Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles)

Piscine Paul-Émile-Sauvageau (Arrondissement Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve)

Piscine Bourbonnière (Arrondissement Saint-Laurent)

Piscine du parc Bariteau (Longueuil) 

Piscine du parc Marcel-Simard (Longueuil)

Most of the information on swimming pools comes from the AlterGo publication entitled Suivez le guide! Le guide de loisirs montréalais 2016 pour les personnes ayant une limitation fonctionnelle (in French).

Rent it

If you cannot borrow a Hippocampe, you can rent one! André-Viger has three Hippocampes available for rent at $250 per week, for use in Quebec or abroad. Reservations are recommended due to high demand!