Where it all began…
Before becoming a company, Chouka is first and foremost an adventure born in the mountains — on windy take-off sites and steep trails of hike-and-fly flying in the Alps. The idea came from a simple need: to fly light without compromising reliability.
An IT and electronics engineer based in Grenoble, but above all passionate about paragliding, climbing, and the mountains, I built the first variometer prototype with a mix of passion and hand-soldered electronic components, all housed in… a small Tic Tac box! We humorously called it the “Vario Tictac”. This first handmade model was not commercial at all, but it already had the essential: it worked.
Pilot friends joined the adventure, testing the prototypes in all conditions. Thanks to them, version after version, the idea evolved 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 manufacture locally in France while keeping an affordable 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 connected to XCTrack.
- Chouka compass.
- Other instruments and accessories for paragliding…
Then diversified into other sports:
- Ultralight Chouka knife – essential in climbing and mountaineering for cutting cord loops or other items.
- Chouka diving compass – designed for underwater exploration, at sea or in caves.
- SkiCycle: ski rack for bicycles – to combine mountain adventure and soft mobility.
Other projects are underway, always with the same philosophy: simplicity, reliability, efficiency, and local manufacturing.
More than just a brand, Chouka is an adventure workshop, driven by a passion for flight and a constant search for improvements.