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Flavour of New Zealand

NZ popular culture 1960 onward

Remember these

Some items of kiwiana that existed, died out, or arrived in the years since 1960. Click an item from the box below.

Grass Skis

Grass skiing was invented by Richard Martin in Germany in 1966. It was created initially as a training method for skiers before the winter season. Two years after, Martin introduced the new skiing variation to the Vosges region of France. Eventually, it has grown in popularity and became wide-known in the country. Starting as a competitive sport, grass skiing has gained a worldwide audience and consequently, there have been ski modifications through the years. Grass skiing centers can be found in Europe, Taiwan, China, Japan, Iran, Austria, and Switzerland, and the Grass Skiing World Cup has already been established. Originally, skis used in grass skiing were like rolling treads attached to the ski boots. Nowadays, there are two types of skis used in grass skiing. These are the wheeled models and the tracked ones. The wheeled model can be used in various terrains and for freestyle and off-piste action.

Rollka

Rollka grass skis, showing the enlarged front of the ski.

click on thumbnail to see full size image

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Source

Article on wikipedia. Rollka pics, dukeandmary, Super Gees pic by jumbo 52, traders on Ebay.