Where it all began…
Before becoming a company, Chouka was first an adventure born in the mountains — on windy take-offs and steep hiking trails of Alpine flights. The idea came from a simple need: to fly light without compromising reliability.
An engineer in computer science and electronics in Grenoble, but above all passionate about paragliding, climbing and the mountains, I built the first prototype of a variometer with a mix of passion and hand-soldered electronic components, all housed in… a small Tic Tac box! It was humorously called the “Vario Tictac”. This first handmade model was not commercial at all, but it already had the essentials: it worked.
Pilot friends joined the adventure, testing the prototypes in all conditions. Thanks to them, version after version, the idea turned into a real flight instrument: the Chouka variometer.
A simple idea, two strong goals
From the very beginning of the project, two guiding principles have driven every decision:
Lightness and compactness
Chouka had to be a variometer you forget is even there: light, discreet, with long battery life and easy to mount anywhere — on the helmet, cockpit, or harness. Ideal for hike-and-fly and bivouac flying, but without compromising precision or performance.
Made in France at an affordable price
The challenge seemed bold: to produce locally in France while keeping a reasonable price.
An adventure that continues
Since the first version, the Chouka variometer has continuously evolved. Every pilot’s feedback and every idea from the field has helped improve its electronics, precision, and ergonomics.
But the story didn’t stop there. Over the years, the Chouka paragliding range has expanded:
- Chouka Smart Variometer – still ultralight but now connected to XCTrack.
- Chouka compass.
- Other instruments and accessories for paragliding…
Then diversified into other sports:
- Ultralight Chouka knife – essential for climbing and mountaineering to cut cord loops or other materials.
- Chouka diving compass – designed for underwater explorations, at sea or in caves.
Other projects are underway, always with the same philosophy: simplicity, reliability, efficiency, and local manufacturing.
More than a brand, Chouka is an adventure workshop, driven by a passion for flying and a constant quest for improvement.