2010
sees the start of an exciting new extra curricular activity here at Birkenhead
School. Mr Guinness is setting up a Unicycling club. At the beginning of the
Michaelmas term Mr Clark encouraged everyone in school to try something new, to
take up a fresh challenge and learn a new skill. Well unicycling could be just
that!
Unicycling provides a great personal challenge, testing the rider physically, intellectually and psychologically. The physical challenge is to combine agility, balance, coordination and fitness. Intellectually a rider needs to work out how basic riding manoeuvres are carried out and teach their body to be able to do them. The toughest challenge is psychological, having the courage to let go of your training partner’s hand, and try to perform a skill that you think might be possible but feels a bit scary!
As you can see from the photo Mr Guinness enjoys riding a range of unusual bikes, in any weather, from unicycles to penny farthings! What made him interested in unicycling you may ask?
“I taught myself to ride a unicycle during my gap year after university when I worked in a youth club in Liverpool, I really enjoy doing something a bit different and taking on a personal challenge. You would be amazed at what some people can do on a unicycle, its not just about clowns and circus performers! Unicycling includes freestyle (doing tricks), mountain unicycling (riding off road), Trials (riding over obstacles), Unicycle Hockey, long distance riding and many other riding styles”.
In Japan, almost every child learns to ride, as it is commonly part of the school curriculum! Research has shown that unicyclists improve their concentration ability, balance and motor coordination, and it plays an important role in physical and mental development.
The Parents' association has very generously given the club enough money to buy a good set of learner unicycles.Pictured below are some of the boys taking their first steps into this crazy world! Click on the picture for a larger image.
If you would like to see Mr Guinness on his bike! Then have a look on “You Tube”, just search for Mr G on his bike!
