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LONG before setting foot on Jamaican soil on Wednesday last, South African Christo Coetzer was deeply influenced by reggae king Bob Marley and the infectious beat of the music.
So, it came as no surprise that Coetzer's latest project would be launched at Marley's Hope Road museum in Kingston.
The 24-year-old unicyclist from Melo Park, Pretoria, plans to make a record - of sorts. Starting tomorrow, he intends to be the first person to circumnavigate Jamaica on a unicycle.
"Listening to Bob Marley's music was the inspiration for me to come to Jamaica," he said. "I was introduced to the music by my dad, who used to listen to Marley when he was much younger. I have the Legend CD and just can't get enough of it."
In January last year, Coetzer made history by becoming the first person to circumnavigate the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius on a unicycle. And, for his Jamaican tour, he has trained hard so he can do as well. In addition to pull ups, push-ups and stretch exercises, he went on a special training programme.
Training programme
"I contacted Kris Holm - the leading unicyclist in the world - and he suggested a training programme which consisted of a five-day training week," said Coetzer. He explained that this consists of three days intensive work, followed by a day's rest, then two more training days, and a day's rest.
He said his unicycle can reach a top speed of 35 kilometres per hour and while on a tour, he budgets for a 15-day journey.
"A unicycle is quite difficult to ride. It is very technical, especially off-roads, since you have to balance and there is nothing to hold on to," he said.
Firebrand reggae artiste Peter Tosh - a founding member of the group, the Wailers, of which Bob Marley sang lead vocals - a was an avid unicyclist. So it was a natural fit for Coetzer to begin his tour of Jamaica from the Bob Marley Museum at 10 a.m. tomorrow. He will then head east to St Thomas and onto Portland. From Portland, the unicyclist intends to ride to St Ann, then to St James, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth and back to Kingston. Coetzer's father, Theo, will be driving in tow throughout the journey.
"We're doing this without sponsorship. Our trip was made possible through donations from friends and personal funds. So, we would welcome offers from sponsors in Jamaica," he said.
"At present, we have made no arrangement for accommodation. So, if any kind Jamaican would offer to put us up for the evening in each parish, we would be grateful," he continued.
Lover of Jamaican culture
Apart from being a fan of Bob Marley's music, the unicyclist says he also listens to Marley's offspring and dancehall artiste Shaggy and he is a great admirer of Usain Bolt.
"While we're here, we would love to meet Usain Bolt - the fastest man on earth - and also to have some jerk chicken and ackee and saltfish," he said. "And, throughout the trip, we would love to meet as many Jamaicans as possible and experience the culture of the island."
"On Wednesday, I visited Collie Smith Drive to watch a football match with Boys Town and Humble Lions," he said proudly.
At the end of the trip, Coetzer plans to chronicle his experience in a book titled 'One Wheel, One People, One Jamaica'.
"We want to inspire people of all nations to follow their dreams," he added.
[email protected]
So, it came as no surprise that Coetzer's latest project would be launched at Marley's Hope Road museum in Kingston.
The 24-year-old unicyclist from Melo Park, Pretoria, plans to make a record - of sorts. Starting tomorrow, he intends to be the first person to circumnavigate Jamaica on a unicycle.
"Listening to Bob Marley's music was the inspiration for me to come to Jamaica," he said. "I was introduced to the music by my dad, who used to listen to Marley when he was much younger. I have the Legend CD and just can't get enough of it."
In January last year, Coetzer made history by becoming the first person to circumnavigate the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius on a unicycle. And, for his Jamaican tour, he has trained hard so he can do as well. In addition to pull ups, push-ups and stretch exercises, he went on a special training programme.
Training programme
"I contacted Kris Holm - the leading unicyclist in the world - and he suggested a training programme which consisted of a five-day training week," said Coetzer. He explained that this consists of three days intensive work, followed by a day's rest, then two more training days, and a day's rest.
He said his unicycle can reach a top speed of 35 kilometres per hour and while on a tour, he budgets for a 15-day journey.
"A unicycle is quite difficult to ride. It is very technical, especially off-roads, since you have to balance and there is nothing to hold on to," he said.
Firebrand reggae artiste Peter Tosh - a founding member of the group, the Wailers, of which Bob Marley sang lead vocals - a was an avid unicyclist. So it was a natural fit for Coetzer to begin his tour of Jamaica from the Bob Marley Museum at 10 a.m. tomorrow. He will then head east to St Thomas and onto Portland. From Portland, the unicyclist intends to ride to St Ann, then to St James, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth and back to Kingston. Coetzer's father, Theo, will be driving in tow throughout the journey.
"We're doing this without sponsorship. Our trip was made possible through donations from friends and personal funds. So, we would welcome offers from sponsors in Jamaica," he said.
"At present, we have made no arrangement for accommodation. So, if any kind Jamaican would offer to put us up for the evening in each parish, we would be grateful," he continued.
Lover of Jamaican culture
Apart from being a fan of Bob Marley's music, the unicyclist says he also listens to Marley's offspring and dancehall artiste Shaggy and he is a great admirer of Usain Bolt.
"While we're here, we would love to meet Usain Bolt - the fastest man on earth - and also to have some jerk chicken and ackee and saltfish," he said. "And, throughout the trip, we would love to meet as many Jamaicans as possible and experience the culture of the island."
"On Wednesday, I visited Collie Smith Drive to watch a football match with Boys Town and Humble Lions," he said proudly.
At the end of the trip, Coetzer plans to chronicle his experience in a book titled 'One Wheel, One People, One Jamaica'.
"We want to inspire people of all nations to follow their dreams," he added.
[email protected]
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