Why should I go to Unicon X?
Several riders who've been there/done that have helped in answering this question. First, they've provided some background information, including name, hometown, club affiliation, the Unicons they've attended, the events entered, and the titles they hold. Then they offer their own perspectives on why a person should attend Unicon, along with advice for anyone considering a trip to Beijing this year.
Andy Cotter, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA,
President of the Twin City Unicycle Club.
Andy has attended six Unicons -- IV to IX. He enters most events, with his strongest area being artistic freestyle.
Titles:
- World Pairs Freestyle Champion 1996, 98
- World Group Freestyle Champion 1996, 98
- 17 National Champions at the Unicycling Society of America National Unicycle Conventions
Andy's comments:
Unicon is a great experience that cannot be duplicated. Visiting a foreign country as a guest of the hosts makes the experience much more special. Also, many other cultures attend a Unicon, making it a truly international event. Unicon has a very friendly atmosphere that allows people to participate as much as they want regardless of their ability.
Every Unicon is different, as each country that hosts it has different customs and a different focus. Each Unicon is a very educational experience. If possible, try to allow some time before and after to enjoy the local sights. For Unicon X, there are many things to do without ever leaving the Beijing area.
I would strongly urge people to consider going to China. Here is a chance to see a unique perspective of a country that will have an ever-increasing impact on the rest of the world. By going to Unicon X, you will be able to appreciate China in a way that many tourists will never be able to. Not only will you be representing your country in an international event, you will be experiencing it with other international guests as well.
Go with an open mind and be prepared to have a wonderful experience.
Constance Cotter, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Twin City Unicycle Club.
Constance has attended Unicons III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX. She enters
group and racing and other events, and will be the Chief Judge for all Artistic Events - Individual, Pairs, and Group Freestyle and Standard Skill at Unicon X.
Titles:
- Individual Freestyle World Champion in 87, 91, 92
- Pairs Freestyle runner-up World Champion in 92
- Racing World Champion in 91
- Group Freestyle World Champion in 87, 88, 96, 98
- Many National Champion titles.
Connie's comments:
I enjoy getting together with the international unicyclists, making new friends, and getting to know old friends again. It's an opportunity to travel around the world, and I like having international friends visit me (between Unicons).
I cannot imagine another Unicon in China in the near future. I know the hosts are
planning an incredible event that will not be replicated ever.
It will be a trip that you will never regret taking. You can only regret not going.
Roger Davies, Stockton, UK,
No club but known as a member of Durham City Jugglers. (The UK riders -- 10 to 15 -- plan to come as a team, complete with matching t-shirts!) Roger has attended Unicons VIII and IX. He enters all the races, hockey, MUni, and will enter freestyle pairs this year.
Titles:
- Age Group MUni Champion in 98
Roger's comments:
Go, and don't worry - the people are all really friendly and language makes no difference.
John Foss, Carmichael, CA, USA.
Gold Country Unicyclists, CA.
Formerly with Long Island Unicyclists, NY,
and Redford Township Unicycle Club, MI. John has attended all previous Unicons. He plans to enter everything except artistic, hockey, and basketball. He also is an artistic judge and chairs the committee that writes the competition rules.
Titles:
- Individual Freestyle World Champion in 86, 87, 88, 3rd in 94
- Pairs Freestyle World Champion in 84, 2nd in 92
- Group Freestyle: entered with USA team, 86, 87, 88 (we were not worthy)
- Standard Skill: World Champion in 88
- Track: have won and/or held records in most events. Still hold records in 200 m, Obstacle Course,
- Track Gliding, and 50 m Juggling
- Guinness record for 100 m sprint, published in the 1989-92 book in USA
- UMX/MUni: Won the last "regular" off road race at Unicon VII
John's comments:
Unicon offers fun noncompetitive events, group events, games, workshops, and tours. But mostly it's the convergence of unicycle talent from around the world and the melting pot of information and experience-exchange that goes on. There's nothing else like it.
As part of your trip to Unicon you will have the opportunity to see the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and other landmarks you can't see anywhere else. Group tours will be organized so you can see these sights with your fellow unicyclists. You will see a country that's very old, and probably very different from where you live -- a valuable experience for anyone who wants to have a better understanding of their own home, as well as the world.
It's the only place where you can see such an amazing level of unicycling talent come together. If you go to the USA's National Unicycling Convention you see the best American riders. If you go to the JUA nationals, you'll see the best Japan has to offer. Only at Unicon will you see all of these "bests" competing against each other. But it's not really against. We are all playing, and competing, together. Learning from each other.
You will see two riders who can't speak a word of each other's language, showing each other how to do tricks. You can be a witness to the process of a new unicycle trick or style flashing its way around the world. What originated in Puerto Rico one day in 1982 may find its way onto a Christmas card from Sweden that same year (the kick-up mount).
It's at Unicon where the different unicycling styles of the world come together. Out of this synthesis, new ideas are born. In Germany, until recently most unicycling was groups of 4 or 6 men (or women, but not mixed) riding around backwards. In Sweden in the 80s it was a lot of quick skateboard-type tricks. In Japan the emphasis used to be mostly on racing, but now it's more like ballet. In England it's hockey, MUni, and a trip to the pub. In America we have a tendency to ride around cones.
Until now, most Chinese unicyclists have concentrated on racing only. But China has an acrobatic tradition (Chinese circus) that goes back 1000 years. There is room for lots of artistic talent there. Also, China had no organized unicycling in 1993. A few years later, there were a reported 10,000 riders!
Worldwide friendships are struck up between riders and families from opposite sides of the world. This is an invaluable experience for anyone, but especially for children, to learn that the world is full of wonderful people. It doesn't matter that our language is different, and our customs, and our culture. At Unicon we all speak the same language, UNICYCLING, and we understand each other through our common medium.
Go.
Jack Halpern, Tokyo, Japan
Japan Unicycle Association.
Jack has attended Unicons II, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, and IX. He enters 100 m, 400 m, 1500 m, marathon, MUni, ultimate wheel, individual freestyle, and obstacle course events.
Titles:
- 100 miles world record 1980
Jack's comments:
Don't worry about being "good enough." Do your best to prepare and practice so that you can participate in as many events as possible. But remember: winning is not necessarily the ultimate goal. Having fun and promoting the sport is.
It's a unique opportunity to meet unicyclists from all over the world, to learn new skills, and to help promote our wonderful sport, with the ultimate goal of achieving Olympic status. And of course it's a great chance to visit and ride at such famous attractions as the Great Wall of China and Tiananmen Square.
The IUF sincerely hopes that you will do your best to organize teams from your country or club.
Christian Hoverath, Bottrop, Germany,
Ein-Rad-Club Dorsten.
Christian has attended Unicons VIII and IX. He enters almost all events.
Titles:
At Unicon VIII, placed 2nd in wheel walk age group and 3rd in group freestyle. At Unicon IX, won wheel walk age group, got 2nd in gliding age group, and 3rd in individual (age group) and group.
Christian's comments:
What makes Unicon special is the chance to meet people from other countries, talk to them, see their tricks.
Never think you have to win in anything. Just get there, do your best, and enjoy the convention. The most important is to have fun.
Everybody should get to Beijing and Unicon X to make it a really big event. Whenever will you get to China again?
Rolf Sander, Monheim, Germany,
Unicycle-Hockey Club LaHiMo
Rolf has attended the Unicons in 1994, 1996, and 1998. He enters the racing and hockey events.
Titles:
- 2nd place hockey 1994
- 2nd place hockey 1998
Rolf's comments:
Go there! It's just great to meet unicyclists from all over the world.
Dana Schneider, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA,
Twin City Unicycle Club
Dana has attended three Unicons - 94, 96, and 98. She enters Standard Artistic, Individual Artistic, Pairs Artistic, Group Artistic, and racing.
Titles:
- 1996,1998 Standard Artistic Champion
- 1996,1998 Individual Artistic Champion
- 1996,1998 Pairs Artistic Champion
- 1996,1998 Group Artistic Champion
- 1996 Racing Champion
- Plus National titles in the same categories from 1996 to 1998
Dana's comments:
Since the competitors come from all over the world, you have the opportunity to learn and see tricks that you have never seen before. Unicon inspired me, and I hope will inspire you too, to become a better unicyclist, to invent new tricks and improve on those that you learned. It is so much fun to meet people from other countries and to become friends with them. I always enjoy seeing some of the same people at every event and hearing their unicycling stories.
Unicon isn't just for those planning on competing in the expert division. There are plenty of activities for all ranges of ability. One of my favorite things to do is to practice when there is open gym time. Usually a circle forms and people show off their favorite tricks.
The best advice is to go. I passed up the chance in 1992, and I still regret it today. Once you go to one Unicon, you will be hooked for life. Unicon also lets you explore a new country. If you have extra time and money, stay a few days later and travel.
Colin Schworer, New Brighton, Minnesota, USA,
Twin City Unicycle Club.
Colin has attended three Unicons: Minneapolis, MN in 1994, Guilford, England, in 1996, and Bottrop, Germany, in 1998. He enters Individual Freestyle Artistic, Group Artistic, and any number of races.
Titles:
- World Jr. Expert Freestyle Artistic (1996)
- World Group Artistic member (1996, 98)
- World Record holder in Slow Backward (set in 1998)
- National Jr. Expert Freestyle Artistic (1995)
- National Jr. Expert Standard (1995)
- National Jr. Expert Freestyle Artistic (1996)
- National Club Artistic member (1992, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99)
- National Group Artistic member (1992, 94, 95)
Colin's comments:
Unicon will expand the way you think and feel about unicycling.
There are three reasons I find Unicons so exciting. One, you meet a whole bunch of people from all over the world. Although people don't always know each other, they all share a common interest that crosses culture and language barriers. Two, Unicons are held every two years which causes a great deal of anticipation in the world of unicycling when one finally rolls around. Three, what you see and experience at Unicon will keep you working for the next three years, or more . . .
Go. It is the unicycling experience of a lifetime. You will never be the same.
Sven Wittorf, Darmastadt, Germany,
SKV Mörfelden (Snoopys hockey team),
Darmstadt university unicyclers,
former member of Radlos Frankfurt (hockey team).
Sven has attended Unicons VIII and IX. He enters hockey and general events.
Titles:
Head organizer of the German unicycle hockey league and webmaster of the
Homepage of the German Unicyclers, former runner-up champion group freestyle (Unicon VIII), 3rd place in hockey and basketball at Unicon VIII, current runner-up champion of the German unicycle hockey league, 3rd place age group 100 m race German National Championships.
Sven's comments:
I enjoy the Marathon (it's nowhere else), open stage events, and just meeting all these great unicyclers from all over the world.
I am so jealous of all the people going to China, as I won't be able to go. But I plan to do a ride across Greece in early September.
Go get there and have fun! (And remember it's a UNICON = UNIcycle CONvention and not a UNICOM = UNIcycle COMpetition)
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