After my days in 'Nam, I committed my life to searching for balance and inner peace. It is my hope that Ride the Lobster will be the culmination of these efforts. Alright, seriously, I'm in it for the fun, the adventure, and most importantly, the people! With some of the names signed up for this event already, there is no doubt that this is going to be one for the books! I'm psyched! Let the shenanigans begin!
Erik Doane, Buck Island, United States Virgin Islands, December 2006, Self portrait
Erik Doane, That mean rock was giving me the stink-eye and needed to be ridden on! San Diego, California, USA, September 2007, Photo by Eyal Aharoni
Erik Doane, California Mountain Unicycle Weekend '06, Lake Tahoe, California, USA, September 2006, Photo by Hans van Koppen
Aaron Nutten
I spent the first 18 years of my life growing up in Wisconsin. Shortly after I graduated high school I packed up my car and headed for the warmer weather and sunny skies of San Diego California. I've lived here since with the exception of one year spent traveling through New Zealand in 2006, this is where I began unicycling. I had a couple of new acquaintances who all lived in the same house and were always up to some random activity (para-gliding, kite-surfing, unicycling, etc). Me and the kite surfer (Jamison Smith) picked it up after a couple days of practice on a local foot bridge over the Mai Tai river in Nelson, NZ. Shortly after, my inspiration to get into the sport grew exponentially after ridding with Pete Van Boekhout, an extremely talented rider who took the time to show a newbie how it's done. I have since found great friends and amazing people in the unicycle community and look forward to meeting more of you in Canada!
Aaron Nutten, I had wanted a mo-hawk since I was a kid, Treble Cone Ski Resort Staff Party, Wanaka, New Zealand, 2006, Self portrait
Aaron Nutten, Iron Mountain: Poway, California, USA, March 2007, Photo by Tony Gallagher
Aaron Nutten, Steepest Street in the world, Baldwin Street, Dunedin, New Zealand, March 2006, Photo by Jamison Smith
Jacob Sprague
I started unicycling six years ago. I'm into trials, a little muni and of course, Cokering. I fancy myself somewhat of an artist. Uh...Life is good.
Jacob Sprague, Waking up in the morning, San Diego, California, USA, February 2006, Self portrait
Jacob Sprague, Mission Beach San Diego, California, USA, April 2005, Photo by David Donathan
Jacob Sprague, Trials Competition, Keysville, California, USA, March 2006, Photo by Jon Sprague
Alex Chiappone
As a young boy I grew up in Alaska. Learning the secrets of the wilderness and wildlife while wrestling polar bears. Eskimos taught me the ways of patience and understanding to be able to ice fish with the utmost skill. Survival on the cold Alaskan tundra taught me how to fend for myself and be confident in my own abilities. Only when I traveled south to San Diego California did I learn how to rely upon others. I met a group of avid unicyclists there who took me in and taught me the ways of the unicycle. Now I will repay them for bringing the joy of unicycling into my life. Strength, will, dedication, patience, confidence and understanding; I will embed these traits into the very core of their being. I am their Coach and with me there to guide them they will accomplish momentous things.
Alex Chiappone, Day 2 Smart Fellers Qualifying Ride, Point Loma Naval Base, California, USA, March 2008, Photo By Eric Doane
Alex Chiappone, SDuni weekend ride, La Jolla, USA, May 2005, Photo By Jacob Sprague