One Wheel Wonders

One Wheel Wonders Fact Sheet by Angela Schwindt, Coach

 In 1997 Angela Schwindt started a Juggling Club, sponsored by Corvallis Parks and Recreation. Jugglers met once a month in the Garfield school gym.  By 1999, the PE teacher at Garfield school had obtained 6 unicycles and Angela combined efforts with Nancy Dalrymple to create a group of unicyclists. The club was renamed the Corvallis Juggling and Unicycling Club. Nancy assisted in the group for a couple of years before moving out of town.  By Fall of 2001, the unicycling team was performing regularly at parades and community events. At this point the team became the One Wheel Wonders and started having practices once a week, separate from the club.  The club now meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month in the Wilson School gym. There are no dues or fees. Equipment is provided (bring a helmet). Drop-ins are welcome. Kids 15 and under please bring an adult. Waivers are required and can be downloaded from the website.  The One Wheel Wonders unicycle team meets Wednesdays, 5-6 PM in the Wilson gym. The team is coached by Angela Schwindt and supported by the school, Corvallis Parks and Recreation, and Corvallis Cyclery.  Coaching is volunteer and parents are helpful and supportive. There are no dues or fees. Team members are required to have a unicycle, helmet, sturdy shoes, and a One Wheel Wonders logo t-shirt for performances.  Practices are generally broken into 3 parts: Games, Skill Building, and Formations. Skills range from basic (learning to idle or freemount) to advanced: riding the giraffe (5-6’ tall), “walk-the-wheel”, etc. The team works on formations that also run from basic follow-the-leader type moves to complicated patterns requiring more skill. When a performance is on the calendar practice times become rehearsals.  The One Wheel Wonders have performed at local events including parades, the Benton County Fair, da Vinci Days, Fall Festival, OSU half-times, church events, etc.  The most exciting show performed was a Vaudeville Extravaganza in Portland, Oregon. The team was on stage with other acts including Cirque du Soleil performers. The unicycle show was one of two acts that received a standing ovation from the sold out crowd of 2000 people.  Corvallis boasts a growing number of Mountain Unicycling enthusiasts. Off-road unicycling is becoming quite popular across the nation.  Coach Angela teaches juggling and unicycling classes through Parks and Recreation. All ages and skill levels welcome.  Juggling and Unicycling are great sports. Both activities improve coordination and self-confidence. It can be non-competitive, yet there is the challenge of constant improvement. Youth on the unicycles learn about problem solving and team effort. The coaches have high expectations and the kids always rise to those standards.  The atmosphere is positive, the energy level high, and the results are amazing. If you haven’t seen Corvallis’ Juggling Club or the One Wheel Wonders, it’s time!  For more information, contact Angela Schwindt: (541) 758-7246.

Revised 11/09