sabestian Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 I don't see any advantage over ski boots. Well, it is more a problem than disadvantage, but ski boots' sole length is just inapropriate for most skwal bindings if your leg is big enough. I am right on the edge (28.5 mondo) with most bindings I tried. Anyway, I am so used to snowboarding with ACSS that I can't really tell if stiffening the boots would be beneficial for me. I like the way I can move front to back and absorb bumps using ankles. I guess I will have to try to remove the spring system and see if it feels any better (I can't really see how it could be more stable at speed - my SK200 is rock solid upto mach 3). Interesting food for thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi one Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 You are right! I tried my friend's Xennon skis today (soft titanal/carbon recreational carver). However, I was in my Dalbellos, softened and BTSed for snbowbaording. While they worked great on the flatter runs and slow speed, I was all over the place on stepper and choppier... I even got worried that I might tweek the ankles. ______ On the side note, reading this thread, I got inspired to pull my Easy Jungle from storage and take it for a spin after 2 or 3 years. What a hoot! I pretty much forgot how to set it and ride it and it took couple of runs... I changed binding setup every few runs. I established that it could be ridden in about 3 distinct techniques: - Wider stance, small angle in front, splay at the back, bindings somewhat forward of the sweet spot, led to a "snowboardish" type of ride. Efficient, yet unconfortable for the rear hip and groin. - Narrower stance, 90 front, 85 back, knee behind the knee, ahead of sweet spot, was pretty usable and didn't feel like a snowboard. Still some discomfort in the rear groin. - Narrower stance, 90 front, 90 back, rear knee to the side of the front knee, on the sweet spot, didn't lead to any discomfort, pretty efficient (but I need to explore it more). Felt a bit like, ummm, skiing. Some funny comments from people in the lift lines... See the "Heard in..." thread. Stepping back onto a (wider) snowboard right afer, was a bit commical - I almost killed myself. It took me almost 2 runs to "relearn" the alpine. Anyhow, it was fun, I'll ride it more often next year, I promisse :D BlueB, thanks for sharing your skwal tests and trials with different set-ups...very interesting indeed!...If I might add a comment is to try some modern skwals next year...do not care about brands or types...if you get a chance try some modern ones and compare with your Easy Jungle...you will be surprised "positively", I suppose. Obi One PS-this thread has hit on something very good...hope this trend would increase next year.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zarkod Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 try some modern ones and compare with your Easy Jungle... The easy jungle would end up directly thrown in the bin i bet These boards were not too bad 10 years ago to learn skwal but now the should be forbidden, they don't really show what a skwal can be (the SK200 was already a better one) ! :) For those in the area you should consider next week event : http://www.skwalusa.com/blog/ A bit too far from France unfortunately ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted April 10, 2011 Report Share Posted April 10, 2011 Or maybe? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted April 10, 2011 Report Share Posted April 10, 2011 I'm sure it's a "Burton Alp" of Skwals. Yet, Alp has very important rolle in alpine - it's great for learning, then it serves as ok all-mountain board later... I was actually impressed that Jungle wasn't too upset by choppy conditions I rode it in. It plowed through happily and didn't bounce around. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Ace* Posted April 10, 2011 Report Share Posted April 10, 2011 Ya, the Easy Jungle is still a go to board for me. Rode it today and it was super fun! Love riding that thing in the spring slop. If you are going to get rid of an Easy Jungle please let me know, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Nice pics Boris! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi one Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 I'm sure it's a "Burton Alp" of Skwals. Yet, Alp has very important rolle in alpine - it's great for learning, then it serves as ok all-mountain board later... I was actually impressed that Jungle wasn't too upset by choppy conditions I rode it in. It plowed through happily and didn't bounce around. . I like the last picture, really cool... other skwal pictures around? or clips obviously? obi one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zarkod Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 Yes very nice last picture, if you can do that with a lamy jungle what would it be with a radical skwal board! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 Thanks for the kind words, guys! I like the last picture, really cool... other skwal pictures around? or clips obviously? Yeah, the pics are clipped from 2 clips. However, my riding is so grotesque at this stage, that I'll rather show only the few momments of glory ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi one Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 Thanks for the kind words, guys! Yeah, the pics are clipped from 2 clips. However, my riding is so grotesque at this stage, that I'll rather show only the few momments of glory ;) BlueB, the way you disengage (exit) the turns in the pictures shows that your weight is in the back...and the dynamics of it is clear by the pressure of the tail and the forward part of your skwal going up with no contact with the snow...good...most of the time you keep your arms simmetrical ...(except a single picture where you did not lined up)....arms are pushed forward...et the end of the turns...good. I just need a picture of the way you "engage" the next turn. In fact, one of the most diffcult processes is to move from your backward position (in the end of the turn) to enter the next turn...if you do it nicely ...well...then Zarkod is totally right ;)...and you might need to think to test and ride a modern skwal...but keep the easy jungle ... if you are interested go to skwal zone web site and check out the info about technique...you are on the right track... also if you like go to my site "skwal club italia" and download this http://www.skwalclubitalia.it/English%20Tecnica-Skwal%20ADVANCED%20OK.pdf PS - send around the clips! c'mon! we, skwalers, need more evidence!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 I just need a picture of the way you "engage" the next turn. I knom, I know, arms flying, upper boddy inclination... On the heel side I tend to have counter-rotation, in lot of turns... . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilux Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 Hey B, are you skwalin' with your Dalbello's or are you in Head's now? From the pics it looks like Head buckles... (I recognize the Head's are like CarveX/CRX and are the same shell minus din soles...just picked up a pair of CRX Freeride's cheap too). Anyway, great pics above! I have yet to try a skwal but is on my list...:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 Dalbellos, always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi one Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I knom, I know, arms flying, upper boddy inclination... On the heel side I tend to have counter-rotation, in lot of turns... . yes! your pics sequence are important!! and informative...to avoid counter-rotation (either heel or toe side) think "motorbike turns"...think where are the arms when you turn with a street-motorbike...think about your body posture while turning with a bike...and counter rotation will progressively disappear...also, "charge" the skwal nose before your turn is completed...this will prevent counter rotation as well... here are some of my pics about the arms positioning in the "lead" and "disengagement" phases of skwal turns. Also check out this clip and verify how I "exit" (or disengage) all turns...every time my right arm is not symmetrical with the left one...I loose balance and make errors... Obi One Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnasmo Posted May 20, 2011 Report Share Posted May 20, 2011 For those who haven't seen many Sqwals in action before, I recently edited some follow-cam video of our resident Sqwal guy, Eric, from the local mountain (Whitefish, MT, USA). First one is from Feb, carving groomers on a Donek Sqwal replica; second is from May 8th hiking for late season turns on his "powder" sqwal. <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/y7Lf8OzGlcM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4PWs-n7UFOA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi one Posted May 20, 2011 Report Share Posted May 20, 2011 thanks for posting it :) ...nice footage. Also the "spring skwal" clip shows also one of the first non in-line bindings... very interesting... obi one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatoos Posted May 20, 2011 Report Share Posted May 20, 2011 what are you doing with this board????? Spring??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi one Posted May 21, 2011 Report Share Posted May 21, 2011 I've watched "michelle 2010" and "first turns"...I whish I could feel and represent that freedom in my future skwal clips....thanks for your you tube memories... obi one PS - skwal...not sqwal :)...but it does not matter that much... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel45 Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 Sure would be nice to have the Skwal USA folks attend ECES 2012 event - would appreciate having demo opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Ace* Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 It would be nice to have them come to both SES and ECES. Hopefully by next year I will have some skwals for people to demo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel45 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 YouTube featuring Patrick ThiasSource: SkwalUSA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi one Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Philippe (orange suit) and Thias (with ski-poles) in action for Skwal USA again... <IFRAME height=345 src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qRwT8LrRMyw" frameBorder=0 width=560 allowfullscreen></IFRAME> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Ace* Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Who is actually running Skwal USA? Thias? Philippe RIPS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi one Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Who is actually running Skwal USA? Thias?Philippe RIPS! no, Thias is just supporting them in different ways... PS- my good friend Phil is pure magic when he skwals free... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel45 Posted October 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Hi all, Just acquired a Lacroix SK200 with seabright bindings. The bindings themselves seem bullet-proof, though heavy. They are attached to board with non-standard pattern with 6 screws, my options for alternative set-up seems limited. Any thoughts on the seabrights? Or the Lacroix in general. Thanks in advance. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.