Speed Carving Links

THE SKWAL IN SWEDEN Me on my creation

Hi my name is Lars Andersson and today I would like to talk to you about the "Carving Machine" in Sweden.

In 1996 I heard of a funny board that was very narrow. And since I had already made snowboards before, I decided to build one for myself. The result you can see on the picture above. It's a nice carving tool but it needs good conditions to really be exploited. Since I hadn't seen a factory made skwal at the time (and still haven't irl) my solution is somewhat different to theirs. I have quite a wide stance to be able to use regular slalom bindings and they are angled to allow a more comfortable position.

If you want you can go to Tolvmannabackens site. It's were i occasionally work as a instructor.



(In Swedish only)

Below follows some text written by Herve Lemouzy

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Mathias Balmain on his creation

Hi my name is Herve Lemouzy and today I would like to talk to you about the "Carving Machine" in Colorado.

This machine comes from France and was born in 1992. The name of is creator is Thias P.Balmain. He snowboarded for many years, and since 1992, alpine snowboarders (from beginners to racers) started feeling the need to twist their bodies to be able to face forward. Since the feet are positioned oddly on the board, this position is uncomfortable.
To avoid this, Thias thought up a simple solution: place one foot in front of the other with shoulders and pelvis facing forward.

History was made, the Skwal was born

I had the privilege of meeting for the first time Thias this winter (97/98?) in U.S.A. We carved together on Vail mountain, and it was captured on film by a Vail Daily news photographer. These are the pictures that you see on this page.

The Skwal is a very easy way to start carving on snow. Easy to start - you ride the Skwal first with your ski poles, and when you feel balanced you can drop them.

Like any kind of sports when you start to practice it's very important to get some good advice. Your stance on your Skwal is very important. You must bend your legs just enough to bring your back knee in contact with your front knee. If you use ski boots just release the top buckle, this will help you to bend your back ankle more.





Now you are ready for your 'first turn'

• Getting ready:

  Head almost straight down the fall line, your weight resting on the heel of your front foot.

• Initiating a turn:

  Put your board flat on the snow while leaning and turning your body slightly toward the inside of the turn.
  Switching edges occurs as you ride across the fall line.

• Steering:

  Keep your body gently rotated in the direction of the turn until you begin to slow down. Keep your weight forward. Your body must follow your Skwal throughout the entire turn. Keep ski poles at your side, and use them only for balance. Keep your body square to the board.

This was all from Herve Lemouzy.
If you want you can go to Thias site. But it's French so I really can't recommend it (ergo it's in French. At least it was the last time I was there. Is it a bad habit they have? Actually there really is people that doesn't speak or read French..... I promise!).

April 1999 by Lars Andersson.