For those who have been to previous conventions, you can expect all the usual stuff, and perhaps a little more. There should be plenty for everybody:
British Unicycle Convention 9 (April 2001) included a unicycle ceilidh with the dance band Herbal Remedy and caller Dave Hunt. To say it was not a success it an understatement! It was repeated last year with equal success and we are having one this year as well. The ceilidh starts at 7:00pm and will finish at about 10:30pm. There will be no bar on site this year so if you are wanting a drink you must bring your own.
The British Unicycle Convention would be incomplete without a good dose of hockey. If you've never played unicycle hockey before make sure you come along for this event. It's a bit like street hockey but played on one-wheel, of course. We'll split everybody into "scratch" teams of around five members (depending on how many want to play). The big hall we are using is very good for hockey.
The rules aren't complicated and the most important ones are just common sense regarding safety. It's worth having a look at them before you come along, but there will be a full briefing for beginners on the day. The rules can be found here.
Freestyle Competition
In freestyle riders perform a routine using any kind of unicycle, more than
one unicycle can be used in the same routine. Music, costume and props ( like
juggling clubs or skipping ropes) can be used and the whole routine is marked as
a "performance". Judges are looking not just at unicycle skill but also at the
routine as a whole, for entertainment and style.
So if you have a routine you can do on your own or with a partner that takes
less than 3 minutes (that doesn't hurt any body or damage the floor!) why not
enter the British free style competition.
If you have music you want to use please bring it along on a CD, Mini disc or at
the start of a tape. If you want to use big props please bring a helper to help
you set up.
You could use a routine you have devised just for this competition, or done in a
show, use part of a busking act, or you could work something out and practise in
the hall during the convention
For rules click here
For the daring among you there will be a session of unicycle quidditch. It's a mad combination of basketball and mayhem, and surprisingly similar to a game of the same name mentioned in the books by J K Rowling.
Workshops are your opportunity to learn new skills from old hands and experts. We hope to have a good range of workshops covering both basic skills and (what Alan considers to be) hard stuff. It all depends who is available and willing to take them. On the other hand, workshops are your opportunity to pass on what you have learned to others. Volunteers to take workshops of any kind will be greatly appreciated. Please don't be shy.
Workshops will be organised at the Convention. That is to say, skilled people who turn up will be nagged incessantly to volunteer a small amount of their time. You know who you are...
Silly games can be played by everyone and are always a lot of fun, even if you're hopeless. Some of the games we've played in the past are gladiators, bulldog, slow races, blind-fold relay races, jousting and stuck-in-the-mud. We should be able to play all of these and perhaps we can come up with some others - the sillier the better.
Mountain Unicycling, or more commonly "muni", is excellent fun. The terrain can be anything from a relatively flat forest trail to a rock-strewn cliff (experts only). Taking in the fresh air and scenery while bouncing over roots and rocks, and squelching through mud, certainly makes a change from perfectly smooth gym floors.
We have a variety or rides for people to go on, we have the North Yorkshire moors only half an hour down the road to test all but the best riders and we also have gentle track riding from the school it self for everyone from the absolute beginner.
As always, there will be a show on the Saturday evening. Everyone is welcome to join in so, if you have stars in your eyes, just let us know.
Whatever else we can think of...
If there is sufficient time and interest, we can put on other events that people suggest. What about basketball or races?