Beka Stilts - Manual (Page 2)

Beka’s natural wood stilts are:
…..made by us in our family owned woodshop in St. Paul, MN.
…..made with high quality hard maple for a long, happy life.
…..easily adjusted to different heights. Adjust footrests so uprights
come up behind stilt walker’s arm pits.
…..unpainted, so they may absorb water if used in damp areas. You
can make them waterproof by painting the uprights (this is purely
optional).
…..best used on soft or rough surfaces. On hard smooth surfaces,
they may tend to slide or slip. You can glue or tape a non-skid rub-
ber strip to the ends, making them even more like homemade (this
is also optional).
Have fun while building confidence.
Stilt walking improves balance and coordination.
Getting Started
- Position footrests by inserting bolts through upright holes.
Use a low height until you are confident of your balance. Place
washers over the bolts and secure with tight wing nuts; check
wing nuts regularly to keep footrests held firmly in place.
- Get help from a strong friend who can support you as you
learn to keep balance on your own.
- Grasp uprights with the palm of your hand facing your
thighs; position uprights so they go along your thighs and be-
hind your arm pits (see photos on front).
- Lean against a fence or wall for support, then step up onto
your stilts or have a strong friend hold them for you.
- Keeping your feet on the footrests, shift your weight forward
until you are able to stand upright and move forward on your
own.
Begin stilt walking; use your arms to lift each leg along with
the accompanying upright, keeping your feet on the footrests.
Alternate from side to side, keeping your body centered
and straight.
Practice, practice, practice.
Caution:
Stilt walking is a challenging activity that comes with inherent risks.
Even the most experienced stilt walkers fall from time to time, so
wearing protective pads and learning how to fall safely is strongly
encouraged. Use knee pads, elbow and wrist guards, and a helmet
to reduce chance of injury.
Ultimately, it is left to the judgment of a responsible adult to decide
if using stilts is appropriate for any individual child. It is also up to
an adult to decide where stilts are used, as dropped uprights have the
potential to damage furniture and household fixtures.