Extreme Unicycling

Words by Benjamin Zand, pictures by John Harris

Crafted from under the wing of its more influential brothers, skating and BMXing, comes the less-established but arguably more extreme sport of extreme unicycling. Unknown to the majority of the world’s sport fanatics, this dare-devil pass time is slowly gaining popularity among true admirers of the extreme. We caught up with extreme unicyclist, Jason Aulde to find out more.

“Extreme unicycling is like getting a Christmas present wrapped in the same paper you always get, but the package is different,” States Jason Auld, one of Britain’s elite extreme unicyclists. “It’s got everything skating and BMXing have to offer in terms of the dangers and skills of the sport, but it’s something different, it’s unique I think.”

The unicycle is not a new innovation. However, consistent alterations to the way this vehicle can be used have kept interested unicyclists keen over the years.

Variations in riding a unicycle seem to be as numerous as unicyclists themselves. To list a few: extreme unicycling on its own featuring street, trials, and mountain styles; there is also room for unicycle hockey in the huge array of unicycle disciplines. But even with this variety, unicycling has historically failed to compete in the big leagues, and more specifically, failed to compete with the likes of skating and bmxing. Jason believes there are a few reasons behind this.

“Unicycling isn’t something you can just pick up and do. It will take you a few weeks to even be able to get up and ride in a straight line, but most people can already ride a bike or will have tried skating before.”

Jason’s trials group, voodoo unicycles, acts as a sanctuary for upcoming and enthusiastic unicyclists to arrange meetings and shows, and to organise events across places like Edinburgh and Glasgow. These gatherings allow unicyclists to mix with their counterparts, and to discuss potential ideas for their sport.

“We currently have four main guys, but we meet up with loads of different people who get in contact. We’ve appeared on ITV, Channel 5 and the BBC, but coverage is not always the best for us.”

Voodoo unicycles is not alone in its bid to try and show the masses the fantastic world of extreme unicycling, there are other platforms for unicyclists to make their name nationally, and internationally. Unicycling has governing bodies around the world. These governing bodies have relentlessly staged events over the years. Equally as important, are low-key events and meets organised globally by unicyclists, for unicyclists from all walks of life to meet up and compete.

Efforts are prevailing; however, the number of unicyclists across the world needs to increase rapidly for unicycling to enter the mainstream. Jason tells us that there are around 300 people who do it in the UK, and around 3000 internationally – jokingly stating that it is likely many of us will have more Facebook friends than this – but with a steady increase in numbers annually, the future is definitely looking positive for extreme unicycling.

‘In five years time I see extreme unicycling as hopefully something the masses know about,’ Jason comments, it’s taken over twenty years for skating and BMXing to get where they are today, so I’m not unrealistic, but I’d like to be known for doing it.’

To place the word extreme in front of anything is often viewed as a cheap scheme to shock people and gain quick interest, but when that anything is simply a wheel with a seat attached to it, things become a lot more difficult to ignore. Extreme unicyclist may claim to be content to just jump on their one-wheeled unicycles and stay in their small un-nurtured world, but it is obvious they yearn to be recognised for the incredible talents they possess. And it is obvious that the glory days for extreme unicycling are still yet to come.