As a part of my plan/goal to start a unicycle club in my area, I submitted a proposal for a uni class to a small private school and a local church in my area. Nothing developed at the school, but I worked out arrangements with the church to teach unicycling in their gym. To promote the class, my daughter and I took our unicycles and spent an evening at a church function. We also rode in a parade last weekend then I sat in a booth all day at the same festival Saturday and Sunday to promote the class.
The class started this past Tuesday night and we had 5 people show up to learn and 1 non-riding parent. I’ve also contacted our local paper and next we’ll have Tim M. joining us. He’s a reporter from the paper and is trying to get his uni paid for by the newspaper. That means he must be planning to do an article on the class, or the people, or something… Can’t hurt to get a reporter hooked on the sport!
Info for the class members are:
Bob (40+), Spencer (10), Calvin(12) - father and 2 sons
Bethany (10) and her non-riding mother
Chris - male (17)
Tim (guessing late 20s to early 30s)
For the first class students were using my unicycles and all have ordered or will be ordering unicycles. Bob and Chris both rode about 10 - 15 feet each on their best ride. All the kids are still using a person or 2 walking along side for balance, but progress for each is obvious. All have been sucked into the sport and I have no doubt will all be riding soon.
I also have another person who I will teach on the side since he is a college student and has a Tues night class. His mother is a key person and part time employee at the church. I know she is going be supportive of my efforts to keep using the gym on a weekly basis after the class is over on Nov 22nd.
My daughter was also at the class and was very generous in sharing her unicycle and thus rode less. But she got in her share of riding, especially on her new 20" unicycle that is replacing her 16" uni. She is enjoying having other kids riding a unicycle with her.
The only negative of the whole evening was very little riding time for me. BUT, I am gladly teaching them because I know it will be so much fun to ride together as a gang in the future. I really do enjoy seeing them smile as they learn to ride and celebrate their successes!
During the promotion of the class I have also met 2 other unicyclists from the area, one adult and one high schooler. Another unicyclist from the area I met recently via this forum (unidaddy) will be coming to ride during the class also. So for some of the classes, we may have as many as 10 people unicycling. I am used to riding by myself or with my daughter. This is a very significant increase in unicyclists in the area!
Next step is to work on keeping the gym open on a weekely basis and keep our core group for a club. Lots of momentum here in Washington County. I love it! I’ll be keeping you posted.
Bill Hamilton
