History
Viromax
This crazy adventure is born in the imagination of the Richer brothers in 1987 while both are still living with their parents. Jacques and Jocelyn are young adults when they watch television clips demonstrating the exercise machines used by both the American and Soviet armies. What they see turns on the inventor’s light bulb over their heads.
In no time at all, they head to the scrap yard, on the lookout for used steel and old truck parts, like differentials, rims, etc. Within a mere few weeks, they quickly assemble the first prototype with great excitement and enthusiasm.
When the super-swing is finally ready, it is the younger brother, Jocelyn, who conducts the initial trial. Security is assured by means of fencing and huge inner tubes placed around the swing. That first go-around was such an experience – pure adrenaline!
It is not long before family, friends and the whole neighbourhood, really, are eager to see the « machine » and to watch the show in the backyard. The following summer, there is tangible proof of the swing’s popularity: the grass has been worn away by the comings-and-goings of the participants and spectators.
viromax
The Adventure Begins: Exiting the Yard
So much research and hard work goes into obtaining insurance and meeting safety standards. It takes a lot of perseverance to chase after a ball that is thrown from one government department to another! However, the Richer brothers, thanks to their determination, clear every obstacle on their way to obtaining the engineering designs.
Ten years later, in 1997, they are ready to exit the yard with a new and completely improved swing they call « VIROMAX ». The name says it all! Their first major event comes in the fall of 1997; it is the Festival Western St-Tite. The organizers, one of which is Mr. Gaétan L’Heureux, give the brothers the opportunity to set up their invention on a rented lot at the village’s elementary school.
From the start of the festival, Jacques and Jocelyn execute repeated demonstrations. Then, while simply coming by to make sure that all was going well, Mr. L’Heureux agrees to pay the admission cost for all of the school’s students so that they may try the swing. Thirty minutes later the « VIROMAX » adventure takes off. A curious crowd grows continuously and the waiting time to experience this one-of-a-kind sensation is an hour and a half. The Richer brothers have shared their passion: mission accomplished!
The Adventure Continues: Adrenaline
In 1999-2000, « VIROMAX » quickly becomes a young and dynamic company with ten or so employees, all just as passionate about the swing as the brothers are. A second, even more perfected prototype is born.
After the Festival Western St-Tite, the swings take part in numerous festivals throughout Québec and even make an appearance on the then very popular television show, Le Point J. Valérie-Anne Giscard D’Estaing, a fellow guest on the show and editor of Le Livre Mondial des Inventions, falls under the spell of « VIROMAX ». She publishes, on page 2 of the 2000 edition, half a page dedicated to the swing, including pictures and descriptive text (instead of the usual two square inches of space).
It is quite a gift for this young business venture, one that will propel it even further in its adventure! In June 2000, the owners of « VIROMAX » are invited to the first Salon des Inventions du Québec à Montréal, headed by Mr. Daniel Paquette of the Inventarium. The brothers spend a dream weekend sharing their passion with others. At the end of the trade show, the organizers convene the brothers to attend the awards ceremony. Jocelyn goes while his brother stays outside to dismantle the swing.
To their great surprise, the organizers name Jocelyn and Jacques Richer of « VIROMAX » as the winners of the Public’s Choice Award. Jocelyn, in complete shock, runs outside with the trophy to tell Jacques: « hey, brother… we won the Public’s Choice Award… look! » And the crazy adventure continues…
While this is happening, another major event helps to boost the swings’ visibility. In 2000, the final Players Tour offers a big-budget contract for the VIROMAX swings to accompany the Indy Formula One races in Canada. This tour will take them both from city to city: Québec, Montréal and Toronto. Another terrific opportunity filled with emotions, wonderful encounters and lovely memories.
The Adventure in Contemplation
From 2003 to 2010, the second swing remains firmly planted in the backyard while the other is disassembled. Only private parties are scheduled.
Different festivals and organizations continue to seek out Jocelyn, wishing to obtain the services of « VIROMAX », but his heart and his head have moved on to other things. Surely to get his mind on something else, who knows…?
The Adventure’s Rebirth
The years go by. Then, in the summer of 2010, that itch and the taste for that wonderful adventure resurface in Jocelyn’s mind. And this time, it is in an even more electrifying way. A new shareholder enters his life and work begins again with a motivation heightened by today’s new technology.
In 2011, the shareholders decide to give « VIROMAX » a makeover in order to open up new horizons. Some investments allow the invention to progress; for example, new plans for a convertible prototype and the production of enhanced equipment and re-examined safety criteria. The swing’s purpose keeps evolving and heading closer and closer to special projects.
The site will keep you up to date on what is new and on upcoming developments.