Skwal

The skwal is a single wider ski, a monoski narrower than where the bindings are mounted one behind the other as in a single water-skiing.

Driving

Posture is in contrast to Snowboard directed symmetrically forward like skiing, so biomechanically correct in the actual direction of travel. Due to the small width and the fact that the legs are fixed to the board in succession, the turns are executed in a strong bank, it is practically only possible extreme carving as driving. The curve radius is determined primarily by the sidecut of the board; it can be modified by curvature of the board, or by changing an angle. The length of approximately 160 to 185 similar to a race board is necessary for the stability at higher speeds.

History

1989 invented the French ski instructors and snowboarders Patrick " Thias " Balmain a mixture of mono-ski and snowboard, originally because he prepared the snowboarding joint pain. He gave him the name skwal, which is derived from "ski" and the French word " squale " a Haifischart; so you carve sharp turns " bite like a shark " because both legs weigh only one edge. In 1993 he patented his new gliding.

Skwalfahren is still popular, especially in France, probably because the relatively flat and wide slopes offer the best conditions for the Skwallen in the French Alps. There is also the only official Skwalvereinigung, the euro skwal Association, which meet regularly performs in changing ski on which the Skwalfahren can usually be tried for free. Outside of France, there are followers in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Russia, North America and Japan.

Manufacturers and models

The inventor began - initially together with the ski and snowboard manufacturers Lacroix - 1992 with the production of Skwals. However, the own manufacturer Thias skwal put the operation at the beginning of the 2000s again. Volkl produced the only major ski manufacturers for some years a skwal under the name Mono Carver; production was also halted. Meanwhile Skwals however by other manufacturers ( see Related links ) available that have all specialized in small series and custom boards.

Length 165-190 cm; Width ( front) 16-20 cm, (center) from 11.5 to 14.5 cm; Weight 2.9-3.1 kg; Material / Construction: wood core, P- tex 1000, titanium edges.

Sporting comparisons

Skwal clubs and associations were formed and organize their own competitions as a European Championship since 2000 ( with the participation of interested parties with 80 euros to participate in entry fee ), national championships in France and in Switzerland, demo events like skwal contest or a skwal attack day ( 2004). The organizers are based fully on the disciplines of snowboarding, which means there is downhill, slalom, jumping, etc., even freeriding was already done.

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