BEMIDJI — Gravity-defying tricks are just part of what brings an international community of unicyclists together for Unicon21, a convention-competition that is like the Olympics of unicycling with a nonstop schedule all over Bemidji.
“Right now, Bemidji is the center of the unicycling universe,” Kirsten “Kirby” Goldstein said. She’s a member of the Twin Cities Unicycling Club and an alumna of Bemidji State University, one of the lead organizers of Unicon 21.
The 12-day convention of unicyclists features a full array of different disciplines, or styles of unicycling.
“We have road racing, we have track racing, we have freestyle, which is kind of like figure skating of unicycling — we even have something called urban riding, which is like BMX,” Goldstein said.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Jakob Flansberry of Quebec was one of about a dozen Canadians competing at Unicon. His disciplines are around mountain unicycling — known as "muni" — as well as racing and jumping on a unicycle.
Flansberry said he received his first unicycle 20 years ago on his 10th birthday.
“I used to be very into racing and performance, now I'm really here for the fun of it. So I just want to have some fun and not get hurt,” he said.
The fun is in the unicycling community, Flansberry added.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
“The community is one of the main reasons why we're all here today, really,” he said. “Unicycling is the kind of sport where there's no money involved, so people are here to enjoy, to see our friends, to see people with the same passion.”
Andrew Sollund, a member of the Twin Cities Unicycle Club, echoed Flansberry’s sentiment.
"It's extremely friendly, because there's not really any trade secrets. There's not anything to be gained from, you know, keeping your tricks a secret," Sollund said. “So if you meet someone that can do something crazy you've never seen before, they'll be more than willing to teach you.”
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
“Unicycling is the kind of sport where there's no money involved, so people are here to enjoy, to see our friends, to see people with the same passion.”Jakob Flansberry, Quebec
While Paris may be suited to host the Summer Olympics, Bemidji’s well-suited to host this type of event, Goldstein said. The last time the United States hosted a Unicon was in 2002.
"Once we landed back in the Midwest, we decided on Minnesota. That's where we live. My co-director and myself, and we really went from there,” Goldstein said.
“[We] thought about a few places and when someone suggested Bemidji, having been a BSU graduate, I thought, well, they have all the facilities we need. Let me put out some feeler emails and when those emails came back with a resounding, ‘Yes, we would love to host. We would love to be a part of this. Like what can we do?’ We were sold."
Unicon21 wraps up on Friday, July 26, with plenty of volunteers still needed to help with the free and ticketed events. More information, including scheduling, is available on the Unicon website.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
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Taichi Isikawa of Japan performs in Men's Freestyle Individuals at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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Machteld van Velzen races in the Speed Trials completition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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German team, TSV Dudenhofen, rehearses for the Freestyle Group Small category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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August Agerskov, of Denmark, competes in the long jump at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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— Participants in the 4x100 relay race at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Members of two different German teams race in the 4x100 relay at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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Joachim Ciocca of Switzerland performs in Men's Freestyle Individuals at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. Ciocca placed second in the competition. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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— A participant in the 4x100 relay race at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Alice Peron of France races in the 4x100 relay race at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— A participant in the Women's Individual Freestyle competion warms up at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Lisa Hanny of Germany warms up before performing in Women's Freestyle Individuals at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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Unicon Directors at the Freestyle Pairs competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota on Friday, July 19, 2024.
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Unicycle hockey practice at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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— A car with a 'Unicon or Bust!' sign at Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
A car with a 'Bemidji or Bust!' sign at Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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Japanese team, Tokyo Boys, performs in the Freestyle Group Small category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— Judges table at Pairs Freestyle Unicycling competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
The judges table at Pairs Freestyle competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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— Pairs Freestyle Unicycling competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Hisashi Minei and Fuo Sato of Japan perform in the Freestyle Pairs category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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— A participant in the Slalom competion at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Valentina Gruber of Italy races in the Slalom competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— 03 A participant in the Speed Trials competion at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Sophia Van Veen races in the Speed Trials competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— A participant in the 4x100 relay race at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Alice Peron of France races in the 4x100 relay race at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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Grete Rückert and Hanna Zimmermann from Germany compete in the Freestyle Pairs category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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— Oliver Nielsen of Denmark, demonstrates a trick at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Oliver Nielsen of Denmark, demonstrates a trick at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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— A participant in the Individual Freestyle competion at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Anzu Hashimota of Japan performs in Women's Freestyle Individuals at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. Hashimota won the competition. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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Maco Shigetoku and Kosei Funatsuki from Japan compete in the Freestyle Pairs competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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Kawai Shuhei of Japan performs in Men's Freestyle Individuals at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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Unicyclists in a practice Unicycle hockey game at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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Roos Seegers of the Netherlands races in Speed Trials at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— A member of the Puerto Rican basketball shoots the ball while playing Swiss team, Casse Rayons during a game against Puerto Rico at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
A member of the Puerto Rican unicycle basketball team shoots the ball while playing Swiss team, Casse Rayons during a game at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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— Swiss team members of Casse Rayons unicycle basketball team during a game against Puerto Rico at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Swiss team members of Casse Rayons unicycle basketball team during a game against Puerto Rico at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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— 02 Shuya Kimura of Japan performs in Men's Individual Freestyle at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Shuya Kimura of Japan performs in Men's Individual Freestyle at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. Kimura placed first in the competition. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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— Shuya Kimura of Japan performs in Men's Individual Freestyle at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Shuya Kimura of Japan performs in Men's Individual Freestyle at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. Kimura placed first in the competition. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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A Unicon 21 participant with unicycle tattoo at the Freestyle Group competition in Bemidji, Minnesota on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— Participants in the Small Group Freestyle Unicycling event at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
USA group, The Wonders, performs in the Freestyle Group Small category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— Pairs Freestyle Unicycling at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Hisashi Minei and Fuo Sato of Japan perform in the Freestyle Pairs category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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A closeup of a Unicycle hockey goalie at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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Unicyclists play in a practice Unicycle hockey game at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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— Pairs Freestyle competitors wait to compete at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Japanese Freestyle Pairs competitors wait in the hallway before performing at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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Emma Ring of Denmark competes in the Long Jump at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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— Felix Eigemann, age 12 of Germany, participates in the Long Jump competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Felix Eigemann, age 12 of Germany, participates in the Long Jump competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Friday, July 19, 2024.
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— Unicycling sign at Bemidji State University part of Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
A unicycling sign at Bemidji State University part of Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota on Friday, July 19, 2024.
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— Particiants in Group Freestyle Competion walk down the hall after their routine, part of Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Participants in Group Freestyle Competition walk down the hall after their routine, part of Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— The German team, Dragon Age, competes in Group Freestyle at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
German team, Dragon Age, competes in the Freestyle Group Small category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The group won their category. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— Participants in Group Freestyle Competion at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
A closeup of the unicycles of German team SV Boostedt, SG Seth as they perform in the Freestyle Group Small category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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German team SV Boostedt, SG Seth performs in the Freestyle Group Small category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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A person watches German team, Dragon Age, performing in the Freestyle Group Small category through an open door at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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German team, TSV Dudenhofen, rehearses for the Freestyle Group Small category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The group place third in their category. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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Japanese team, UniCircle Flow, performs in the Freestyle Group Small category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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Members of German team, SV Boostedt, SG Seth during warmups for the Freestyle Group Small category at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— Speed Trials at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Roos Seegers of the Netherlands races in Speed Trials at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— A participant in the Speed Trials competion at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
You An Pao of Taiwan races in the Speed Trials competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— 02 A participant in the Speed Trials competion at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Machteld van Velzen races in the Speed Trials completition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— 03 A participant in the Speed Trials competion at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Sophia Van Veen races in the Speed Trials competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Henry Bach from Madison, Wisconsin. tries out a tiny unicycle at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesotatif.jpg
Henry Bach from Madison, Wisconsin tries out a tiny unicycle at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— James Bach, age 10 from Madison, Wisconsin. tries out a tall unicycle at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesotatif.jpg
James Bach, age 10, from Madison, Wisconsin tries out a tall unicycle (known as a giraffe) at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— Andrew Solberg teaches Ezra Anderson, age 10 of Bemidji, how to ride a unicycle at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesotatif.jpg
Andrew Solberg teaches Ezra Anderson, age 10 of Bemidji, how to ride a unicycle at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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Swiss Team 1 hands off the baton in the 4x100 relay race at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— A participant reacts at the finish line of the 4x100 relay race at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Jim Sowers (571) reacts at the finish line of the 4x100 relay race at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. Sower's Team USA-AUS didn't win the race but that didn't stop his enthusiasm. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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— A participant in the Slalom competion at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Valentina Gruber of Italy races in the Slalom competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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Joachim Ciocca of Switzerland performs in Men's Freestyle Individuals at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. Ciocca placed second in the competition. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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— Fans wave the Danish flag during for a Danish unicyclist during the Individual Freestyle competion at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Fans wave the Danish flag during for a Danish unicyclist during the Individual Freestyle competition at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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— A 'No Riding Unicycles in the Hallways' sign inside the Sanford Center, one of the venues for Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
A 'No Riding Unicycles in the Hallways' sign inside the Sanford Center, one of the venues for Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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Kawai Shuhei of Japan performs in Men's Freestyle Individuals at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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— A participant in the Women's Individual Freestyle competion at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota.jpg
Anzu Hashimota of Japan performs in Women's Freestyle Individuals at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, Minnesota. Hashimota won the competition. The event was Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
