Unicyclist smashes world record

Peter van Boekhout (left), Nick Petrenko (centre) and Joe Dyson display their freestyle skills in Auckland. Picture / Kenny Rodger

"It's not just for clowns," says unicycle shop owner Tony Melton. "You've also got to have the desire to want to learn, and a lot of persistence."

Mr Melton was in Auckland for the fourth annual Unicycle Weekend, during which teenager Peter van Boekhout smashed two records.

In the long-jump event, he jumped 2.8m, beating the world mark by 25cm.

And in the high jump, he jumped 90cm, breaking the New Zealand record by 10cm.

"It was an awesome weekend ... and I'm really pleased with my records," the 17-year-old said.

The event, held in different locations around Auckland over Labour weekend, brought together 35 unicycle enthusiasts from throughout the country for a variety of competitions.

Mr van Boekhout, who is in his final year at Waimea College in Nelson, has been unicycling for 2 1/2 years.

"My friend bought one and I learned off him. It's really cool and different and quite an adrenalin rush," he said.

And he revealed he is no stranger to breaking unicycle records. At last year's event, he broke the New Zealand long-jump record.

Mr Melton described Mr van Boekhout as a "very talented rider".

He said unicycling had become popular in New Zealand in the past four years or so.

Being a good unicyclist was not all about balance, he said. Participants also needed to be dedicated and practise a lot.