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 ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL UNICYCLING
Written by: Kalin
Daquila
George
Goss, an elementary school teacher
and Central Washington University graduate,
envisions more for his physical education
students than just the usual routine.
What he incorporates into his curriculum
is an activity that is much more challenging
and requires the utmost concentration,
patience, and above all…motivation.
George runs a circus arts program through
an elementary school where he teaches
many students the act of unicycling.
Surprisingly, there are many benefits
from which children (or persons of any
age) can become aware of, from such
a unique avocation.
Kind enough to expand on his idea, here
is an explanation from the circus arts
guru himself, Mr. George Goss:
 Why
unicycle?
When I went to Central Washington University,
PE teaching majors took an "alternative
activities" class to learn to ride
unicycles, juggle, use diabolos, archery,
lacrosse, and other non-traditional
PE activities. One of our required tasks
when learning the skill of unicycling
was to be able to ride the length of
the pavilion without holding onto the
wall or spotters. I had one quarter
to acquire this skill, after being provided
with the unicycle and a brief instruction
of how to mount and ride.
Luckily our professor, Dr. Steve Jefferies,
provided extra learning opportunities
at a local unicycle club held at an
elementary school in Ellensburg, Washington.
The first thing I learned was that humility
is involved. Students rode past me for
hours as I clung to the wall. I swallowed
my pride as I listened to the suggestions
of little kids, who told me what I was
doing wrong; eventually, I was successful.
My first year teaching, I found a dozen
unicycles in the gym closet. It was
difficult to teach 28 kids without having
enough for everyone, so I bought several
more with my budget. I also Frankensteined
a few of the older ones back together.
It turns out that the previous PE teacher,
Wayne Christensen, had unicycles spread
all over Yelm elementary schools for
his circus arts club named DARTS that
ran from 1983 through 1993. To make
riding more accessible, I pooled up
the unicycles from all the schools and
tightened a few bolts and replaced some
seats, pedals, and tires. I also discovered
that the father of one of my students
was an excellent welder, allowing us
to revive 24 more unicycles.
To make our budget stretch further,
and to give other students this unique
opportunity, we share the unicycles
between schools in our district. We
currently have 54 unicycles including
one 6-foot giraffe. This does not include
the 20+ students that have their own.
So why ride unicycles? The first and
most important reason is that it is
fun. It’s a different kind of
feeling being up on one wheel, in control.
There are additional benefits as well:
Exercise
Always, pedaling a unicycle makes for
a good workout. When riding a bike,
a lot of time is spent coasting, much
like taking a break. Further, any type
of riding is a low-impact activity,
so it is good for people whose legs
have been wrecked by jogging.
Transportation
Cruising speed averages 8-9 miles per
hour on a standard 24" unicycle,
fast enough to use as an alternative
to a car for local trips. In fact, a
couple individuals rode the Seattle
to Portland race on 36-inch wheels,
and 124 people from 14 countries braved
the 5-day event, Ride the Lobster, in
Nova Scotia, which spanned 800km.
Storage and Cost
Up to 27 unicycles can fit in the back
of a truck at a time. Try to do that
with 27 bikes! Unicycles cost less and
seem to have fewer parts to be replaced.
Challenges
There seem to be an unlimited number
of unicycling challenges. After learning
to ride forward, one can learn to ride
backwards. When that is accomplished,
one can be taught to ride one-footed.
Always enjoy what you know, but also
put forth the effort to learn more.
For instance, unicycle hockey and basketball
teams compete locally and internationally.
Trials and freestyle riding are additional
avenues to being creative and pushing
rider’s abilities. Self-esteem
soars for students who achieve higher
levels of unicycling.
Social Interaction
Students cheer, support (spot), give
information on how to correct others,
and explain the tricks behind the skills.
One of the greatest pleasures I ever
received teaching was with a “skater”
type student. He wasn’t into team
sports, but he loved a challenge when
it came to balance and a splash of risk.
It took me six hours of practice to
get six feet off the wall. I saw a kid
with a blue-haired mohawk master that
in half an hour. After that day, he
never missed a recess, where he was
able to demonstrate to others how to
get better.
Furthermore, recent scientific research
demonstrated that unicyclists improve
their concentration ability, balance,
and motor coordination. This activity
plays an important role in physical
and mental development.
After this research, the Japanese Educational
Department officially recognized this
discipline; they integrate it in their
school program. Today, there is over
a million unicyclists in Japan. Also,
an International Unicycling Federation
was founded in Japan on June 1, 1982,
which aimed to further elaborate on
a structure and a regulation for this
sport. The Federation sanctioned the
first World Unicycling Championship
which took place in Syracuse, New York,
in 1984.
The numbers of unicyclists are growing
all over the world and especially in
the Northwest. The PACERS
are amazing elementary school performers
based out of Spanaway, Washington. Where
I teach, at McKenna Elementary, we had
42 students and two teachers riding
in the last parade, and we look to have
more this December. Every year in spring,
the Panther
Pride Unicycle Team puts on a clinic
for all skill levels at North Bend Elementary.
Last year there were at least 150 participants
learning new skills. Visit their home
page at www.pput.org
or read about their program at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2002/0707/cover.html.
To learn more about unicycling, go
to www.unicyclist.com,
where 22,000 members are participating
in forums to discuss all things unicycle.
Unicycle: It’s not just for circus
anymore.
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