InclineDesign
December 18, 2009
New sit-ski design heading for the slopes
U of C spin-off company plans to showcase prototype at 2010 Paralympics
James Chew (right) began working on a more affordable sit ski in 2006 as a student in the Faculty of Environmental Design.
A new design of sit-ski, hatched from a University of Calgary student project, could potentially make the Paralympic sport of alpine skiing far more accessible and affordable to disabled people.
Local company, InclineDesign, is launching their prototype that will cost two to three times less than current models due to its plate-aluminum construction that is easier and cheaper to maintain and repair. "Our goal is to go after ski programs," said James Chew, product design director for InclineDesign. "We think there's a very good opportunity to get our sit-ski onto ski hills right across Canada within the next few years."
Chew began working on the design in 2006 as a student in the Faculty of Environmental Design and made it part of his thesis towards his Masters of Industrial Design degree. The plans were then passed onto a senior-level design class in the Schulich School of Engineering for fine-tuning. The company was incorporated this past summer and recently sold its first unit to a ski program on Vancouver Island.
"Purchasing equipment for adaptive programs to teach persons with a disability how to ski is an expensive proposition," said Tony Crook, a board member with the Calgary chapter of the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS). "“The highest cost associated with programs is the sit-ski equipment, and we're hoping our collaboration with InclineDesign will help make affordable sit-skis a regular sight on ski hills and bring more Canadians to the sport—whether that's competitive racing or just for fun."
Many past, present and potential Canadian Para-Alpine World Cup and Paralympic Champions have started their careers in CADS programs.
InclineDesign's prototype will be showcased next March in Whistler, B.C. where the Paralympic Games' alpine skiing events will be held. The company has received start-up funding and support from CADS, Red Deer College, various local manufacturers and partner WestLink Innovation Network Ltd. Both WestLink and University Technologies International (UTI)—an arm of the University of Calgary, committed to bring leading-edge university research and technology into new companies and products—provided their expertise and industry connections to this project.
"This project is a great example of how an idea leads to a conceptual design resulting in a product prototype that can provide a societal benefit," said Kevin Casement, UTI Interim President and CEO.
