Update as of 4th April Kieraview is FULL on Friday 10th April. There are still 5 double rooms and 3 twin rooms available for Saturday & Sunday nights

Keiraview Accommodation and Keiraview Wollongong YHA

Kieraview offers both Motel and Backpacker/YHA style accommodation and is very close to the 2 major venues - see map at bottom of the page.

Motel Accommodation

• Double Motel Rooms x 10 @ $115 per room per night. The Double Rooms feature a double bed and include TV, air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom and a mini kitchenette.

• Family Rooms x 7 @ $125 per room per night. These Family Rooms feature a double bed and a double futon bed and include TV, air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom and a mini kitchenette.

The kitchenettes in the motel rooms include a fridge, microwave and a kettle with tea and coffee provided. On the ground level in the backpacker section of the accommodation, there are 2 communal kitchens available for use. There is also a BBQ available for use, located in the courtyard area.

YHA Hostel Accommodation:

• 4 Share Dorm Room x 3 (12 beds) @ $30.00 per bed per night. The 4 Bed Dorm has 2 x bunk beds with linen included. All facilities including kitchen and bathroom are shared.

• Twin Share Room x 8 (16 beds) @ $42.00 per bed per night. The Twin Room has 1 x bunk bed and ensuite with linen included. Only kitchen facilities are shared.

Here are answers to some common Uninats questions:

• Will there be anything for me to do as a beginner/new rider if I come to Uninats?

Although Uninats is called a competition, it is intended to also be a festival and celebration of unicycling. Any rider, of any age or ability, is welcome to take part. There will be plenty of non-competitive activities, such as workshops and games, and there are separate age and gender categories for riders in the competitive events. You are guaranteed to learn a lot and be inspired!

• Do I have to register in advance or can I register when I get there?

It's cheaper if you register in advance on the AUS website, but if you can't manage that, you can still register when you get to the event.

• Do I have to be an AUS member? How do I join?

Yes, you must be a current AUS member to take part in Uninats. This ensures you are covered by our public liability insurance. You can join by filling out the form on this website (under membership) and posting it in or bringing it with you to Uninats, or you can fill out the form and join when you get to Uninats. AUS membership fees are separate from and in additon to Uninats entrance fee.

• Can I just come and watch? Do I have to pay if I just want to go in a few events?

Anyone can come and be a spectator or non-rider at Uninats. If you want to ride a unicycle at any time, you must register, pay, and be a current AUS member. You could pay for just one day if you are unsure if you want to take part (although this will be more expensive).

In the British Medical Journal, Sam Shuster, Emeritus Professor of Dermatology, analyses the responses he received from the general public over the course of one year when he was out riding his unicycle. Public responses to unicycling were quite different between people of different genders and ages - from openly supportive and praising to verbally and physically aggressive.

See the entire article in the BMJ 2007, vol 335 (22 December) pp. 1320 - 1322. Thanks to David Buchanan for sending this one in!

If you like to mix circus and juggling with your unicycling, then make sure you're at the Sydney Juggling Convention next weekend - 24-26 January 2009! 
If you can't make it to the Convention, don't miss Sirkus Circus at the Factory Theatre on Sunday 25 Jan, featuring many top performers from SJC.

While UniNats is only a few months away, don't forget that next summer UNICON is coming to a country near you. Check out the website for information on the program, registration, venues, and accommodation in Wellington and have your say in the forums:  http://www.uniconxv.co.nz/about/unicycling/
Hope to see you all in the land of the long white cloud.

Skill level testing is important as it reinforces a rider’s skill standards and provides a graduated development plan. It is good to know your skill level, especially if you want more higher level challenges and if you want to go to overseas competitions.

To be able to test riders for skill levels, you have to attend a skill level testing workshop at UNICON every two years or be trained and tested by someone who has been to the UNICON workshops. There are a few sites with information but the official IUF site is a good one because it gives hints on how to do some of the harder skills.

More than 4000 cyclists are currently making their way around Victoria in the Great Victorian Bike Ride.

Mathew Thomas from Caulfield (VIC) is taking part on his 36" unicycle as part of his training for the upcoming Kenya & Tanzania unicycle tour.

The Warrnambool Standard newpaper has done a quick article up - IF you think cycling for 600 kilometres on two wheels is tough, try riding on one.

All the best, safe travels!

Update: Barry Clearwater is doing the GVBN with Matt and has been interviewed by Stateline on ABC1.

The Spring Cycle is one of Sydney's most popular rides to and around Olympic Park, Homebush. Tens of thousands participated this year in the rides and events.

This year, Sydney Unicycle Hockey players were invited to give a demonstration game at Homebush. On a sweltering court, the riders put on a competitive and closely fought match, providing great entertainment for spectators. Thanks to everyone who played and helped out!

Southern Cross Cultural Exchange has contacted the AUS to let us know that a 17 year old student from Germany who is a keen unicyclist will be coming to Australia in February 09 to attend a high school for the year.

Maire-Christin is a champion unicyclist. She does unicycle freestyle, racing and group training, as well as being interested in art and learning to surf. SCCE is looking for an Australian family to host her during her stay.

If you are a unicycling family or your club would benefit from a keen unicyclist and you are interested in hosting this student (anywhere in Australia considered), please contact Robert Lindsay at Southern Cross Cultural Exchange.

The organising is underway with dates set for the Easter long weekend, 11- 13^th April 2009 in Wollongong NSW.

The hall and outdoor courts of Smith’s Hill High School have been booked as the venue for freestyle and hockey competitions, as well as workshops on the Saturday. There are three courts available, so at this stage it is anticipated that we’ll have one court dedicated to hockey and other team games, another to free play, and another for workshops. There are also a few fun obstacles and a gliding challenge course around the courts. This venue will also be available on Easter Sunday.

Nearby, the synthetic athletics track at Beaton Park Leisure Centre has been booked for races on the Sunday. The leisure centre also features other facilities for those interested in winding down in a spa, sauna or pool (or warm down unicycle on treadmill).

P.S. Ashley Curtis, I have started training for the 10km. You can win all the track races but you won’t win the 10km. Third at the world champs just won’t cut it for UNINATS 09!