Events

> Swoard Demo Tour 2012 :   2nd edition
> ExtremeCarving Session 2012 :   main event since 2004

Group photo - ExtremeCarving Session 2011

SWOARD snowboards organizes every winter the ExtremeCarving Session. This event is included in the Swoard Demo Tour, with four other smaller meetings (in resorts we have "certified for EC"). "Demo" does not only mean that the participants can test Swoard boards, but also that they can watch demonstrations of extremecarving by the Swoard team (the founders and Swoard instructors).

Free lessons or advices are given to explain the ride technique developed by Jacques Rilliet and Patrice Fivat from 1995 to 2001. This technique, easily identifiable, is especially adapted to the width and other specificities of the SWOARD Extremecarver Gen4, the snowboard that inspired extremecarving. The words "rotation", "push-pull", "fluidity" and "gesture purity" will be part of your vocabulary. Advices on the settings of bindings and boots are also provided to benefit fully from all advantages of the SWOARD snowboards.

The SWOARD Dual model is also available during the events. Therefore the riders in soft boots are welcome!

> Swoard Demo Tour 2012

• 17-18 December 2011: Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy)
• 14-15 January 2012: Peyragudes (Pyrenees, France)
• 28-29-30 January 2012: Zinal (Valais, Switzerland) - Main event - ECS > see below
• 17-18 March 2012: La Thuile (Italy)
• 31 March -1 April 2012: Courchevel (France)

At least 2-3 Swoard instructors will be present at each event. The Swoard team will be complete with 7 instructors during the main event "ExtremeCarving Session" in Zinal.

More info (Forum) >>>

> ExtremeCarving Session 2012 :   Jan 28th to 30th, 2012 > Zinal, Switzerland

The meeting takes place in the typical and small village of Zinal (Switzerland), the home of Swoard. At the altitude of 2900 m the panorama is just amazing. The participants can carve laid turns on the dream slopes that are shown in the Swoard movies, with the best specialists of the extremecarving discipline. A black slope, perfectly groomed, is reserved for us every morning.

The level of most participants has incredibly raised since the first session, which had been organized at the request of the community over Internet. This event has become very popular with more than 230 snowboarders (from 15-20 countries) who want to push their limits still further.

During the three days of the event, the snowboarders are sharing their passion and experiences. Many friendships appear or get stronger. The stands on the snow, the bars, the Saturday dinner and other activities are contributing to the excellent atmosphere around this unforgettable experience.

More than 30 demo boards will be made available for anyone who would like to test the SWOARD Extremecarver. It is also the opportunity to find the board that is best suited to your size / weight / shoes-size. Remember to bring your favorite bindings and hard boots as this equipment will not be supplied. More than 12 demo boards of the model SWOARD Dual will be available too.

You will be filmed and photographed! On Saturday evening: big dinner for everyone and screening of the day filming in the main hall of the village. Monday Jan 30th is a day not to be missed as there will be no large crowds on the slopes.

> Reports of the seven previous sessions: see below.

> Detailed program, info and registration: Swoard ECS 2012 (PDF document)

> What is important in 2012?

• The number of participants is limited to 250 persons. This is the maximum possible for this small resort, the hotels and the main hall. It's also important to keep the safety on the slopes and the quality of the event.
• The blue, red and yellow packages give access to the Saturday dinner (with distribution of a surprise gift), the activities and the stands. They include two tickets for cups of "warm wine" at the stands from 15:00.
• Important: all packages must be purchased BEFORE the meeting.

Previous events

> ExtremeCarving Session 2011 :   Jan 29th to 31st, 2011 > Zinal, Switzerland

While the winter was very bad in West of the Alps (ice and stones everywhere!), the people working at the slope maintenance managed to make miracles. The famous slope "Barthélémy" was just perfect for extremecarving. Sun for three days, smiles, friendships and excellent atmosphere again!

Useful links:
- reports, pictures and videos (here and here) of the participants (Forum)
- pictures shot during the event: here (and soon in the Gallery, on the page Photos)
- movie which was screened on Saturday night - sequences of the first day (duration: 6min30):
  streaming from YouTube or downloading AVI version (ZIP file 98.6MB)

> ExtremeCarving Session 2010 :   Jan 30th - Feb 1st, 2010 > Zinal, Switzerland

The fresh snow on Saturday was ideal to present the new DUAL model dedicated to freeriding and freecarving. The bitter cold and the weather have given a very special atmosphere to this session, which has become indispensable to many. The sun came back on Sunday and Monday to the delight of the 230 participants.

Useful links:
- reports, pictures and videos (here and here) of the participants (Forum)
- pictures shot during the event: here (and soon in the Gallery, on the page Photos)
- movie which was screened on Saturday night - sequences of the first day (duration: 6min59):
  downloading MP4 version (ZIP file 146MB)

Group photo - ExtremeCarving Session 2010

> ExtremeCarving Session 2009 :   Jan 31st - Feb 2nd, 2009 > Zinal, Switzerland

With 220 participants, it has been the biggest meeting so far! This is almost the maximum possible for the small resort and the main hall. Though the size of the village is a disadvantage, we believe that it is contributing to the particular atmosphere of this event.
Should we mention that the snow conditions were perfect? Hard packed snow and no ice!

Useful links:
- reports, pictures and videos (here, here and here) of the participants (Forum)
- pictures shot during the event: Gallery, on the page Photos, and here too
- movie which was screened on Saturday night - sequences of the first day (duration: 16min34):
  downloading MP4 version (ZIP file 152MB)

Group photo - ExtremeCarving Session 2009

> ExtremeCarving Session 2008 :    Feb 23rd to 25th, 2008   > Zinal, Switzerland

The Swoard event has made another step with the help of many volunteers. More activities, a big stand with tents and tables, two dinners all together, a tombola, videos and other surprises... Well, it was probably the best session till now! The about 200 participants have appreciated the slopes, the ambiance and the beautiful weather during the 3 days (again!), with a spring temperature on Monday.

Useful links:
- reports, pictures and videos (here and here) of the participants (Forum)
- pictures shot during the event: Gallery, on the page Photos, and here too
- movie of the event: Saturday and Sunday filming

Group photo - ExtremeCarving Session 2008

> ExtremeCarving Session 2007 :    Feb 3rd to 5th, 2007   > Zinal, Switzerland

About 170 participants from 20 countries have come for, again, 3 sunny days! We got excellent snow conditions for carving and extremecarving: probably the best in the last 4 sessions. A black slope was reserved in the morning for the participants only! Great moments and excellent spirit.

Useful links:
- reports, pictures and videos (here and here) of the participants (Forum)
- pictures shot during the event: Gallery, on the page Photos
- movie of the event (duration: 18min39): downloading AVI version (ZIP file 150MB)
  or streaming from YouTube (in 3 parts)

Group photo - ExtremeCarving Session 2007

> ExtremeCarving Session 2006 :    Feb 11th to 13th, 2006   > Zinal, Switzerland

As for the 2 preceding sessions, we got 3 sunny days! But the lack of snow (never seen for 40 years!) pushed us to Grimentz (8 minutes away) where the conditions were much better.
More than 150 persons have come for 1, 2, or 3 days, or even more!
The dinner on Saturday evening, with so many people, was amazing.
Moreover we got many girls this year!

Useful links:
- reports, pictures and videos of the participants (Forum)
- pictures shot during the event: Gallery, on the page Photos
- movie of the event: streaming from DailyMotion (duration: 17min21) or
  downloading AVI version (78.8 MB) (right click the link and save on your hard disk)

Group photo - ExtremeCarving Session 2006

> ExtremeCarving Session 2005 :    Jan 28th to 30th, 2005   > Zinal, Switzerland

The snow has come right in time before the meeting and made us forget a bad winter start!
More than 130 carvers over 3 days which were cold despite the sun! Laid turns everywhere...
The participants level at extremecarving has risen compared to the preceding year!
This shows the importance of such type of events for our growing community.

Useful links:
- many feedbacks of the participants (Forum)
- pictures shot during the event: Gallery, on the page Photos

Group photo - ExtremeCarving Session 2005

> ExtremeCarving Session 2004 :   Jan 31st - Feb 2nd, 2004 > Zinal, Switzerland

This first extremecarving meeting in the world was great! About 60 participants joined us to lay down turns in Zinal, Switzerland (region of Valais), in a nice and friendly atmosphere.
Weather and snow were perfect during the 3 days.

Useful links:
- enthusiastic feedbacks of the participants (Forum)
- pictures shot during the event: Gallery, on the page Photos
- small movie of the event (right click the link and save on your hard disk):
  Windows Media Player version (.wmv 13.9MB) or Quicktime 6 version (.mov 15.8MB)

Group photo - ExtremeCarving Session 2004