Spring 2016 What is Schwingen? Wikipedia explains,Schwingen (from German schwingen "to swing"), also known as Swiss wrestling and natively as Hoselupf (Swiss German for "breeches-lifting"), is a style of folk wrestling native to Switzerland. Wrestlers wear Schwingerhosen ("wres- tling breeches") with belts that are used for taking holds. Throws and falls are common because the first person to pin his/her opponent's shoulders to the ground wins the bout. The match takes place in a ring, a circular area with a diameter of approximately 39 feet that is covered with sawdust. The two opponents wear short pants made of jute over their clothes. The wrestlers hold each other by these shorts, at the back belt slot and in front at the rolled front pant cuff, and try to throw the opponent onto his back. There are several main throws, some of them very similar to judo techniques. A match is won when the winner holds the opponent's pants with at least one hand and both the opponent's shoulders touch the ground. By tradition the winner brushes the sawdust off the loser's back after the match. The match is judged by referees who give points, with a maximum of ten points for a winning throw. If the match ends without a clear win, the more active Schwinger is awarded the higher number of points. At a Schwingfest, every Schwinger usually wrestles six opponents, or eight at the Eidgenössische. The two Schwingers with the highest number of points after five (seven at the Eidgenössische) rounds get to the Schlussgang (last round). There are no weight classes nor any other categories. Usually, though, Schwingers are big men, at least 6’ tall and weighing in excess of 200 pounds. Schwingers from practical professions are called “Sennenswingers” (National folklore adherents) and wear dark slacks and solid colored shirts under their jute shorts. The “Turnerschwingers” are the gymnasts who excel in the sport, wear light colored clothing. Regional and cantonal Schwingfests are held outdoors, between early summer and autumn; the most important being the Eidgenössisches Schwingfest, which usually takes place every three years in different sites throughout Switzerland. The winner of this tournament is proclaimed Schwingerkönig. cont. on pg. 2 SHV Member, Paul Kiser helps coach Ripon Schwingers to victory. The proper Schwingen hold is shown above. Right hand grabs the back belt slot & the left holds the rolled shorts’ cuff in front. Honored Ripon Wrestlers to attend Eidgenössisches Schwingfest in August 2016 Frank Kaech, Logan Schallberger, Andrew Betschart, Zach Schallberger Spotlight: Schwingen SIX TIME CHAMPION W.C.S.W.A. Spotlight: Schwingen
Transcript
Spring 2016
What is Schwingen?Wikipedia explains,Schwingen (from German schwingen "to swing"), also known as Swiss wrestling and natively as Hoselupf (Swiss German for "breeches-lifting"), is a style of folk wrestling native to Switzerland. Wrestlers wear Schwingerhosen ("wres-tling breeches") with belts that are used for taking holds. Throws and falls are common because the first person to pin his/her opponent's shoulders to the ground wins the bout.The match takes place in a ring, a circular area with a diameter of approximately 39 feet that is covered with sawdust. The two opponents wear short pants made of jute over their clothes. The wrestlers hold each other by these shorts, at the back belt slot and in front at the rolled front pant cuff, and try to throw the opponent onto his back. There are several main throws, some of them very similar to judo techniques. A match is won when the winner holds the opponent's pants with at least one hand and both the opponent's shoulders touch the ground. By tradition the winner brushes the sawdust off the loser's back after the match.The match is judged by referees who give points, with a maximum of ten points for a winning throw. If the match ends without a clear win, the more active Schwinger is awarded the higher number of points.At a Schwingfest, every Schwinger usually wrestles six opponents, or eight at the Eidgenössische. The two Schwingers with the highest number of points after five (seven at the Eidgenössische) rounds get to the Schlussgang (last round). There are no weight classes nor any other categories. Usually, though, Schwingers are big men, at least 6’ tall and weighing in excess of 200 pounds. Schwingers from practical professions are called “Sennenswingers” (National folklore adherents) and wear dark slacks and solid colored shirts under their jute shorts. The “Turnerschwingers” are the gymnasts who excel in the sport, wear light colored clothing.Regional and cantonal Schwingfests are held outdoors, betweenearly summer and autumn; the most important being theEidgenössisches Schwingfest, which usually takes place every three years in different sites throughout Switzerland. The winner of this tournament is proclaimed Schwingerkönig. cont. on pg. 2
SHV Member, Paul Kiser helps coach Ripon Schwingers to victory.The proper Schwingen hold is shown above.
Right hand grabs the back belt slot & the left holds the rolled shorts’ cuff in front.
Honored Ripon Wrestlers to attend
Eidgenössisches Schwingfest in August 2016
The Yodeler
Frank Kaech, Logan Schallberger, Andrew Betschart, Zach Schallberger
Spotlight: Schwingen
SIX TIME CHAMPION W.C.S.W.A.
Spotlight: Schwingen
Schallberger Cousins: L to R: Clint, Jakob, Zach, (Paul Kiser), Lucas, Zane, Logan.
K o o l K a t s P r a c t i c e
coaching as well as competing. He has continued to coach, on-and-off, ever since. Paul drives to Live Oak Rd, South of Lodi to train a group of young Schwingers who he fondly refers to as the Live Oak Kool Kats; his pride and joy. It keeps Paul involved in
USA West Coast Schwingfest Dates 2016San Joaquin Valley Swiss Club, Rippon, June 4 and September 3 Sierra Swiss Club, Truckee, July 16San Diego Swiss Club,San Diego, June 18 Portland Swiss, Portland, OR August 6Swiss Sportsmen’s Club of Tacoma, Tacoma, WA, June 25 & August 12-14 Aelpler Gruppe Swiss Club, Newark, Sept 10Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society, Frances, WA July 1-3
Schwingen, continued
Alois Peter, 1956 Edigenossischen
Paul Kiser 1958, 1960, 19611962, 1963, 1965
the sport he loves and in touch with the younger generation of Ripon wrestlers.
This year 4 of the Ripon Schwingers have been chosen to attend and represent California-USA at the Eidgenössisch Schwingfest in Estavayer, Switzerland, August 27-28, 2016. This is quite an honor for these young men. They are following in some very big footsteps. Over the years the area has sent several Schwingers to compete
There were a lot of Swiss immigrants settling in California in the 1920s. They brought their ethnicity, customs and the activities they enjoyed with them to the United States. A favorite pastime was Swiss wrestling so Swiss Societies throughout the West Coast began to energetically support Schwingen. California’s very first Schwingfest was organized by the Imperial Valley Swiss Club on March 13, 1921. Paul Kiser’s father, Wendel who had immigrated to San Francisco from Sarnen, Canton Obwalden, Switzerland in 1925, was an experienced, strong Schwinger who traveled to Imperial Valley to compete and was crowned Imperial Valley’s Schwingfest Champion in 1925 and in 1927. Because of Schwingen’s popularity, Josef L. Inderbitzin organized the West Coast Swiss Wrestling Association in 1957 to assure uniformity and consistency. At this point the officially recognized Championship Schwingfests on the West Coast began.
Wendel Kiser moved his family from San Francisco to Galt in 1942. He and his wife had three sons and two daughters. One of Wendel’s sons was Paul who wanted to followed in his father’s footsteps and learned to wrestle at a young age. Both Wendel and Wendel’s best friend, Albert Ming, trained Paul who participated in his first Schwingfest when he was 15 years old. At that time, in 1952, there were no age classifications so he wrestled with the older, bigger and more experienced Schwingers. Six years later he received his first West Coast Swiss Wrestling Associa- tion Championship Crown in 1958. Paul continued to wrestle throughout the 1960s and 70s holding many titles but held the W.C.S.W.A. Championship title another five times during his wrestling career. An acclaimed wrestler from Switzerland, Alois Peter moved to Sacramento in 1957. Frank Schmidig introduced Alois and Paul who became fast friends. Alois had won a prestigious Edigenossischen Crown in Switzerland the year before he moved to Sacramento and he became a mentor to Paul. They were rival competitors at Schwingfests, but always friends and practice partners outside of competition. “Alois graciously shared his Schwinging knowledge and insights with me,” said Paul. “The Ripon Swiss Club Schwingers all lookedup to Alois who challenged and inspired us to become better Bösen Schwingers.” (The wicked and the best.)
Paul was married in 1965 after meeting Alice (you guessed it, they met at a Schwingfest) and Paul started
and three have earned crowns; Don Widmer, John Ming and Al Ming. Hans Wagner, Tedy Betschart, Frank Beeler, Frank Imhof, Matt Ming, Andy Ming, Joey Ming, John Schallberger Jr, Martin Steiner, Nate Aufdermaur are some others from the area who had the privilege of being accepted to wrestle at the Eidgenössisch Schwingfest and represent the USA. Just making it to Swit-zerland’s most highly regarded Eidgenössisch Schwingfest is an honor in itself.
The young men selected to go this year are all from the Ripon Schwinger Club, Andrew Betschart, Frank Kaech, Logan Schall-berger and Zack Schallberger. They have worked hard for many years on their wrestling skills and are thrilled at the chance to wrestle in Switzerland. The boys are also trying to raise funds to help with their expenses. The Sierra Swiss Club in Truckee worked with some individuals in Switzerland who donated $3,200 to the Ripon wrestlers, which will help cover their airline tick-ets. The Schwingerverband is providing lodging for each athlete in Estavayer, August 25th – August 28th. If you or any member of our Swiss Club would like to help these young men representing Northern California and the United States, please call or talk to Coach Paul Kiser and he will collect the donations and present the SHV Contribution to the athletes at Ripon’s June Swiss Club Meeting. Please donate ASAP and no later than the middle of May.
ThelasttwoyearshavebeenatruepleasureandIappreciatethoseIhadchancetoworkwithandgettoknow.IknowweareingoodhandswithAnitaKasselandI’mproudtotransferthehonorofservingaspresidentontoher.DankeVilmal, Bob
SHVBoard2016-2018
Andrew Betschart Modesto,CA,22yearsoldHehas24Crowns,4ofthemareWestCoastChampionCrownsinwhichhehasoneGoldCrown.HewasaPerpetualTrophyWinnerin2011and2015.ThiswillbeAndrew’sfirsttriptowrestleinSwitzerland.HeworksatAmericanCraneRental.
Frank Kaech Escalon,CAis27yearsold.Hehas33Crowns,5ofthemareWestCoastChampionshipCrownsinwhich2ofthoseareGoldCrowns.HewasaPerpetualTrophywinnerin2013and2014.FrankhaswrestledinSwitzerlandin2014and2015.Hereceivedhis1stCrownattheSchaffhauserKan-
SHV Hikers! Bridgeport Hike, Penn Valley, May 22! Call John Sweat for details. 916-483-4858
Mark Your Calendars April 6, Wed. 7 PM Member Meeting, Turn VereinMay 1, Sun. Noon Annual Picnic BBQ and Appetizer Cooking Contest, WoodlandMay 4, Wed. 7 PM Member Meeting, Turn VereinMay 19, Thurs. 10:30 Fun 9-hole Golf Tourn., Haggin Oaks
May 21, Sat. 10 am Brunch and Jass at Ettore’s May 22, Sun. 10 am Bridgeport Hike & Potluck, Penn ValleyJune 1, Wed. 7 pm Member MeetingJuly - No MeetingAugust 3, Wed. Member Meeting & Swiss National Day Celebration
Sacramento Helvetia Vereinc/o Yodeler Editor, Joan Achermann4315 Kilcher CourtCarmichael, CA 95608
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Visit www.sacramentoswiss.com for details
4
New Best Appetizer
Contest
Bring your appetizers by
12:15 PM1st - 3rd place awarded
Please fill out form enclosed and RSVP by April 22
9-Hole Fun Spring Golf Tournament
Prizes to top 3 foursomes!
Thursday, May 19 ~ 10:15 AM - NoonHAGGIN OAKS - Arcade Creek - Blue - 9-Hole Course
$30 with cart and $22 to walk Please Preregister by May 5, 2016 by
Emailing Joan Achermann ( [email protected] - and she will reply within 48 hours )
The day of the tournament you willSign in 9:30 AM at Coffee Shop & Stay after for Lunch (optional)
! FUN !~ Yodeling encouraged but not required ~
Tournament Chairs: Walter Grob and Joan Achermann
Sacramento Helvetia Verein’s
9-Hole FunTournament
Dear Attendees – please bring an appetizer to share when you arrive. You do not have to enter the Appetizer Contest.
If you would like to enter your appetizer into the contest please sign in with Gabi Wackerli at the Appetizer Table between Noon and 12:15 PM. Attendees will vote for their favorite and prizes will be awarded to 1st – 3rd place. ! Fun!
SHV Nelson Grove, Annual Picnic ~ SUNDAY, May 1, 2016 ~ 12:00 NOON – 4:00 PM Noon: No Host Bar Opens, Appetizers, Entertainment, Raffle Ticket Sales and Games; Nelson Grove, Woodland, CA 2:00 PM: Barbecued Tri-tip or Sausage, Hot Beans, Pasta Salad & Green Salad, Bread, Spring Fresh Dessert & Coffee 3:30 PM: Raffle Drawing and Entertainment – Appetizer Winners are Announced
Enjoy a delicious barbecue at Woodland’s serene, cool and shady Nelson Grove Park. The park is remote, beautiful and quiet; the huge old trees naturally tent a wonderful playground for the kids, horseshoe pits for adults and encompass
the lovely covered patio and picnic tables. You’ll feel as though it’s our club’s own private park. Directions: Sacramento to Woodland I-5; Highway 113 Exit toward Yuba City; in approximately 1 mile turn left at Coli
Lane. Continue ½ mile to park entrance on the right.
Sacramento Helvetia Verein’s Spring Picnic Reservation Coupon Please mail completed coupon and payment to Paul Kiser ASAP and no later than April 22.
CHOICE PRICE NUMBER TOTAL Tri-tip $15.00 ________ $__________
Sausage $12.00 ________ $__________
Salads and Beans Only $10.00 ________ $__________
12 Years & Under Tri-tip $7.50 ________ $__________
