A group of children walk up to the front of the gathering, each pulling along a cycle. It’s not a bicycle - this one has only one single wheel with two pedals and a seat; there is no handlebar. As everyone watches, the children quickly hop on to the seat and begin pedaling. They ride forward, backward, hold hands, let go, going zigzag, forming in patterns, riding in tandem… everyone’s eyes are on them, in astonishment and fascination at this uncommon spectacle. When the performance ends, there’s a rousing applause and the children smile, knowing yet again they have managed to surprise and delight their audience.
Our introduction to unicycling was unexpected when in 2011, Jasmine, a young volunteer from Germany spent a few weeks in Shishu Mandir. Since she had that strange hobby of riding a unicycle, we asked her to teach our children to unicyle. Jasmine was staying with a German family in Bangalore and fortuitously saw a man riding a unicycle everyday. What a coincidence! The man on the unicycle turned out to be an American, while she was from Germany. So far away from their homes in a Bangalore suburb they met because of their shared interest in this sport. Before she left for Germany, she asked him if he could help coach our children. He agreed.
That’s how David Foy came to Shishu Mandir 13 years ago. His wife’s work had brought them to Bangalore. David, whose visa didn’t permit him to work in India, could volunteer. And he began teaching our children to ride the unicycle. It was new, exciting and a lot of fun and the children loved it immediately.
We were already ensuring that our children learn to ride a bicycle and many were good riders. But unicycling was more than just a sport or a skill for them. It was unusual and fun! We decided to start unicycling for children in Class 5 and higher. At first, it was a lesson in patience as it took weeks for them to find the required balance. But neither the children nor their coach was in a mood to give up.
Shortly after, the Foys had to return to the USA but they began visiting Bangalore every year, often for the whole summer and sometimes staying longer. On each visit, David was back at Shishu Mandir to teach unicycling. In 2014, the couple decided to relocate to Bangalore. Around this time, they also started a nonprofit organization called Friends of Shishu Mandir to raise funds from the USA. David resumed coaching and we added more unicycles. From 4 unicycles, we now have 42!
Seeing its obvious popularity and how it boosted children’s confidence to handle a single wheel without falling, we decided to include it in the timetable for the 5th standard, making it part of the weekly class. Beyond the 5th standard, those interested continue to pursue it as an extra activity.
In 2011 Kokila joined Shishu Mandir School and would watch the unicyclists with great yearning. Before she was 10, she had learnt to ride the bicycle and even a Scooty. “I was waiting to be in the 5th standard,” she says. “As soon as I got the chance, I started riding.” When her cousin Punith, who is the same age as her, joined Shishu Mandir, she found an equally enthusiastic companion. “We became partners and supported each other. We learnt one foot riding and different types of mounts. Punith liked hopping, but I was scared to try it. Still he encouraged me,” she says, adding that she likes to do tricks seated. Kokila is now completing her second year of Pre University in Science. Keenly interested in sports, she pursues it in college, even winning an award as best athlete. She wants to be an engineer and support her family, including her younger sister, who is a special-needs child. In all ,these years, unicycling has remained a constant, “a stress release” as she calls it.
In 2018-19, David picked Kokila and Punith to attend Unicon, the biennial unicycling championship. Unfortunately, Covid arrived and the programme was cancelled. In 2022, when the tournament was announced with Grenoble, France as the venue, the plan was revisited. By this time, Kokila was in the 10th standard and Punith in the 1st PUC. It was the first time the children were flying, which was exciting in itself. At Grenoble, the tournament opened with a parade. Teams were divided by the country they represented, and they rode around the town carrying their country’s flag. The Indian representation was only Kokila and Puneeth. “I thought we should have brought a flag. I was not expecting to be given one, as it was only two of us from India,” she says. “It was the happiest moment for me, to receive the flag and ride around the city holding it,” she says. Being at Grenoble also showed Kokila and Punith the full potential of this sport, and the skills of other unicyclists. It was inspiring and humbling. “We saw people jumping from a great height, some standing on the seat while pedaling with one leg. We were not sure if we could ever match them.” But Kokila reached the semifinals of the slow backwards event.
Unicycling is not a popular sport in India and it is quite possible that Shishu Mandir is the only school in the country that offers it as a sport. In the decade since we started unicycling, we have seen batch after batch children start, stumble, pick themselves up, practice until they achieve the confidence and grace to ride the unicycle. It reflects in their confidence and is a great motivator to learn. It teaches discipline, focus and perseverance.
One of the most special moments is when parents see their children ride for the first time; the look of surprise and awe and some of them are moved to tears to see their children on a unicycle. Our children come from severely disadvantaged homes and with only few opportunities available to them. When they join our school, it brings them hope. To see them enjoy opportunities that they never imagined possible is always emotional.
“The kids take to it like ducks to water. We have outstanding riders, like Kokila and Punith. This year, Nalin, and Balaji are excelling,” says David. He also teaches them juggling and some now juggle, as they ride the unicycle!
The Unicon is back this year, taking place in Minnesota, David’s hometown. He was keen to take a larger group this time. “I know where they (the children) come from, I have been to their homes, I know their parents. They have never seen where I come from. I want to show them where I grew up, Duluth, on the shore of Lake Superior, the largest lake in the world…”
10 children were chosen based on an essay they wrote on, why they wanted to go. Says David, “It’s not about the best riders. Two of the girls, the only sport they do is unicycle…This is not about competing, but the cultural experience – the first time going anywhere. Learning from the best riders in the world…” David and his wife have put together a four-day itinerary for the group. He has roped in a high school track coach friend to train the children for two hours a day. He talks about the places he hopes to show them while being there.
“There’s a very small group of people worldwide that can ride unicycles,” points out David. That group now includes our children, who have embraced the opportunity given to them and despite the struggles of their personal lives, have shown how hard they can work, as they set out to represent India on a global platform. We can’t be prouder!
The unicycling team: David Foy - Coach, Ammu Sambasadasivam (In-charge Teacher), Nalin Harikrishna, Sinchana Umesh, Balaji Andra Nandakumar, Darshini Murugesh, Harini Adishesha, Mala Jayaramappa, Taslima Buddu Sab, Vinciya Jose Joseph Tharchius, Kokila Kithiganur Venkatesh, Punith Gundappa.
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