Updated
7-20-06
The North American Unicycling Championships and Convention is an annual event sponsored by the Unicycling Society of America, Inc. (USA). It is open to all USA members from North America. It is also open to visitors from other countries. It takes place each summer, usually during the later part of July, though dates are adjusted somewhat from year to year.
NAUCC 2007 will be held in Michigan, hosted by the Redford Township Unicycle Club, in July 2007.
All USA members are welcome to attend and participate. There are no restrictions based on ability. In fact, newer riders often benefit the most by learning many new skills and meeting other riders from all over the country.
The participation fees are very reasonable for a national sporting event. The cost is usually under $100 to participate as a competitor in the six-day event. Participants also have the option of ordering an event t-shirt, which is always a great, wearable souvenir of the convention.
Event sponsors are often able to offer good deals to participants for nearby accommodations as well.
The entry fee covers participation in a wide range of events, including individual competitions, pairs, groups, teams, racing, hockey, basketball, and many more.
The convention is packed with events. Here are a few of the competitive events:
Individual artistic
Pairs artistic
Group artistic
Parade (clubs)
Hockey (teams)
Basketball (teams)
Track racing, including 100 m, 400 m, 1,500 m
High jump
Long jump
Specialty track, including juggling race, wheel walk, one-foot, u-wheel
Obstacle course
Slowboards
Trials course
NAUCC features many noncompetitive events as well. Here are a few:
Games on unicycles for all ages and abilities
Workshops
Skill development and skill testing
Fun rides
Lots of volunteer opportunities
Informal gatherings, lunches, breaks, dinners
Most years, there’s also a closing dinner and a very enjoyable public show that features a variety of talent.
If you will ride a unicycle at all at NAUCC, register as a competitor. That covers the organization for insurance purposes and allows you to get the most out of the experience.
In the past, many riders felt they were too new to compete, but realized later that they missed out on several fun events. Even riders who can’t yet freemount can participate in a couple of the races. Doing that prepares them for future competitions.
If you ride at all and want to improve, register as a competitor.
Sometimes. It’s usually very expensive to rent indoor gym space, and the competitive events take up quite a bit of time and space. But event planners try to include as much open gym time as possible to allow riders time to hang out and practice informally.
There are also casual outdoor rides scheduled at most conventions, and spectators are always welcome to watch any of the indoor and outdoor competitive events for no cost. So, even if there is no available indoor practice space at a certain time, there are always other ways to participate.
Yes. USA certified skill testers are usually on hand during several days of the convention to test any USA member. It’s a great time to improve your skill rank.
In addition, the new testing rules allow riders to re-test once each day at NAUCC for any test they didn’t pass on the first try, rather than wait seven days to test again.
For more information about USA skill tests, check out the web site. The link is posted at the end of this FAQ.
On the registration form, you’re asked to indicate which events you’ll enter. While you may make some adjustments to that later, it’s helpful for organizers to know how many competitors to expect for each event.
Register for any event you feel you may be able to handle. Most new riders will find that they can handle some of the races. If you come off the unicycle during most races, you are disqualified. But, if that happens, it’s no big deal, and at least you tried!
Of course, you’d need to be fairly skilled at wheel walking (feet on the tire rather than the pedals) before you’d enter the wheel walk race, for example. So, don’t enter any event that’s clearly way beyond your current abilities.
Another track event that many beginners can handle is the Obstacle Course. It’s based on completing a course marked by cones in the shortest possible time. Beginners often find that they can’t go very fast, but they can complete the course. Everyone is allowed unlimited practice runs, plus two official attempts for the Obstacle Course, so it’s likely that beginners can successfully earn a time for at least one of their two official attempts.
The Slowboard is a narrow plank on the ground that riders try to stay on while moving as slowly as possible, to demonstrate their ability to maintain their balance while riding slowly on a narrow surface. Highest time wins. It’s quite difficult, but sometimes newer riders are able to succeed on the Slowboard. There’s no harm in trying, and, again, there are two official attempts and unlimited practice attempts.
To enter artistic events, check out the USA Rulebook to see how these events are broken down into categories based on your skill. Even new riders can enter the Novice categories.
Racing days are a lot of fun, but the days are usually long and hot. Be prepared with plenty of water, and maybe even a cooler of snacks and food. Depending on the facilities, there may be food or water available at the track, or you may have to leave to find something to eat.
Also remember to bring helmets, gloves, and kneepads. Riders are required to have some of this equipment for several of the events.
Some groups bring their own sunshades—tent awnings that they can set up at the track to provide a cool, shady place to hang out between events.
Yes. There are medals for most artistic and track events. While you may not win a medal the first year, it’s likely that you will if you participate again. With so many events to choose from, you’ll probably find an area that you’re good at. Most riders who have attended NAUCC for a couple of years have a number of medals to show for their efforts.
No. People come and go throughout the event. Some riders can only manage a couple of days away from home, and that’s fine. While it’s the same fee to participate for just a couple of days, it’s still a good deal. Riders usually make their decisions based on the NAUCC schedule, being on hand for the events that interest them the most. The schedule is normally set up with the artistic competitions scheduled for two days, and the track events scheduled for two other days. (Sometimes, though, the weather forces last-minute changes in the schedule.)
Come for all or part of the event.
Since the location for NAUCC changes each year to different locations around the country, the accommodations vary from year to year. Normally, organizers are able to offer special rates at nearby hotels, and there are often campsites available as well.
It’s a great time.
It’s likely you’ll learn a lot, meet many terrific people, and have a wonderful time. You may also have a chance to meet riders from other parts of the world. The unicycling community is still very small, so it doesn’t take long to get to know top riders from all over the country.
Just sharing experiences with others who enjoy the same sport is always fun. Families find that they enjoy meeting and socializing with other families. Almost all riders find someone of a similar ability level to talk with, and many of the more accomplished riders are willing to help out anyone who asks to learn a new skill.
Because people of all ages and ability attend, there are always people around that are about the same age and/or ability that you are.
That can be a tough decision, but families often come together, even if not everyone rides. There are usually other attractions in the area that may interest some non-riding family members, such as water parks, zoos, museums, or amusement parks. Or families sometimes extend their trip to include a few days before or after the convention to take in the sights along the way.
And, sometimes non-riding family members decide to take the plunge and begin to learn to ride. Attending a national convention can motivate people to take on the challenge when they see so many people having fun with the sport in so many different ways.
On the other hand, sometimes it’s better for riders to come and experience all they can the first year, then decide the second year whether it’s something the rest of the family would enjoy.
Participate in as many activities as you can.
Label your unicycle.
Don’t be afraid to walk up to people and introduce yourself.
Bring kneepads, gloves, and a 24" unicycle if you plan to race.
Offer to help out.
Be flexible and remember that everything is run by volunteers.
The link to the 2007 registration form will be posted here as soon as it is available.
More information on the new USA skills development system:
http://home.comcast.net/~carol.mclean/Home/unicycle_central.htm
USA Web Site and Rulebook:
http://www.unicycling.org/usa/
FAQ provided by Carol McLean
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