Sunday, March 8, 2009 8:27 PM CDT
Unicycle jousting a new twist at CHS event
By DAWN JAMES, Staff Writer
djames@jg-tc.com
See a slideshow from this year’s Renaissance Faire. at http://www.jg-tc.com/multimedia/
CHARLESTON — A worn pedal; PVC pipe wrapped in foam, tightened securely with velvet ribbon; and one wheel — make that two wheels.
It’s an interesting combination to create a most unique twist to the sport of unicycling: unicycle jousting.
Two unicyclists were on hand Saturday to compete in a new activity added to the sixth annual Charleston Renaissance Faire held at Baker Gym.
Ben Goeckner, an Eastern Illinois University senior English major, and Aaron Smith, a junior at CHS, were the two contestants.
The event was a new endeavor for both of them.
“I’ve never heard of unicycle jousting anywhere,” said Goeckner. He added that it might be interesting to Google the concept to see what comes up.
Sporting handmade lances made of PVC pipe, foam mattress pieces, velvet ribbon, and a durable yellow material for gripping purposes, the contestants sparred. The lances were made by Garrett Goben, a junior, and Lauren McKee, a senior.
“It was interesting,” Smith said. “It was fun. It’s a whole new element to unicycling.
“There’s kind of a strategy when you think about it,” he said.
According to Smith, he didn’t know where to hit at first and was just trying to make contact. He then tried to knock his opponent’s lance without much luck. From there he went for the knees and the legs, which worked best, he said.
Goeckner said, “It was pretty interesting. I thought it was going to hurt more than that.”
CHS art teacher and art club sponsor Toni Satterfield said that initially, the club wanted to bring in real horses for the jousting exercise, but the costs exceeded $15,000.
After considering their options, members of the club came up with unicycle jousting.
Goeckner, who has been riding a unicycle for nearly 14 years, said he loves doing tricks on the unicycle.
He can juggle, play basketball, and has been in several parades over the years with one of his former teachers, he said.
When he first saw someone on a unicycle, he just couldn’t get it off his mind.
“It’s a lot of fun to sit on a wheel and go,” he said. “It is different on one wheel other than two.” It’s neat to ride around without any handlebars, Goeckner added.
The Effingham native began learning to ride a unicycle as part of the YMCA program in his hometown, he said.
Smith started unicycling when he was 11 or 12 when his uncle brought one to his house. He said his dad rode a unicycle when he was young.
When first trying the unicycle, Smith said he couldn’t do it at all, but after much practice, he was able to tackle it. He said one of the pedals is really worn on his unicycle.
Smith added he has yet to master putting the unit in reverse.
Every three years, the CHS art club holds the Renaissance Faire, and Satterfield said this year’s event was a success.
“We tried to display all the kids’ talents that we could possibly find,” she said.
Contact Dawn James at djames@jg-tc.com or 238-6866.
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