Our Story

Where it all began…

Before becoming a company, Chouka was first an adventure born in the mountains — on the windy takeoffs and steep trails of hike & fly routes in the Alps. 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 a paragliding, climbing, and mountain enthusiast, I tinkered with the first variometer prototype — a mix of passion and hand-soldered electronic components, all housed in… a small Tic Tac box! We jokingly called it the “Vario Tictac.” This first handmade model wasn’t commercial at all, but it already had the most important thing: it worked.

Friends who were pilots joined the adventure, testing the prototypes in all kinds of conditions. Thanks to them, version after version, the idea evolved into a true 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

It seemed like a bold challenge: to produce 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 now connected to XCTrack.
• Chouka compass.
• Other paragliding instruments and accessories…

Then diversified into other sports:

• Chouka ultralight knife – essential for climbing and mountaineering to cut cord loops or other gear.
• Chouka diving compass – designed for underwater explorations, at sea or in cave diving.

Other projects are underway, always guided by 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.