Going for a record jump

MURRAY WILSON/The Manawatu Standard

RECORD ATTEMPT: Freyberg High School's Jesse Traill is in hard training for the Unicycle Nationals next weekend.

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One guy, one wheel.

Freyberg High School's Jesse Traill has been riding a unicycle for three years, and is in hard training for the Unicycle Nationals next weekend.

The 16-year-old wants to break the world record for long jump on a unicycle 2.8m. He's routinely jumping 2.65m now, and thinks he has a chance. He came second at the last national competition.

The nationals will see hundreds of one-wheelers converge on Palmerston North. Just about anything can be done on a unicycle long jumping, stunts, off-roading, team sports such as hockey, speed sprints and long-distance endurance rides.

Jessie said it took him about six hours to master the unicycle. His best helper was a fence to clutch.

"You start rocking backwards and forwards, then you start moving along the fence."

Unicycles come in all sizes and shapes. Jesse's currently using a 19-inch wheel, with a tyre 2-and-a-quarter inches wide, at pressure of between 35 and 50 psi. He's got another 24-inch wheel. Road commuters use a 36-inch wheel.

Unicycles start at about $200 and go up to as much as enthusiasts are prepared to spend. Safety gear helps. Jesse wears leg armour, knee and shin guards and some people use helmets and gloves.

Palmerston North Unicycle Club member Steve Pavarno said highlights of the nationals would be unicycle hockey at Memorial Park on Saturday, followed by a "round the lake" relay using the park's duckpond.

"It's pretty rough round there, somebody's bound to fall in," he said, grinning.

Unicyclists planned to use the bike trails at the Awapuni landfill park on Sunday, and planned a trick competition for The Plaza around lunchtime. Monday would see off-road work in the Kahuterawa Valley.

Event times and venues would depend on the weather, but more information was available at the website puni.org.nz Anyone interested was welcome to attend. The club meets at Memorial Park most Saturdays from 10am.

Wellington will host the world unicycle championships from December 27 to January 10.