AROUND JAMAICA ON ONE WHEEL
Real adventurers do innovative things and when South African Good Will AmbassadorChristoCoetzer discovered his love for unicycling, he started his mission of promoting positive human relations by circumnavigating islands. His love for reggae music and Jamaica were the main reasons why he selectedthe Caribbean island as his second project. His 3-week journey led him through all 14 parishes, connected him with a host of people and left countless lasting impressions with the adventurer cycler.
When calling South African ChristoCoetzer after his journey around the island, he answers his phone with a hearty “Wahgwaan?”, which shows that he is not a newcomer to the Rock. The 24-year-old unicycler’s love story began quite some time ago with Jamaica’s greatest export, reggae music. Says the adventurer “It has always been my dream to visit Jamaica because I love reggae; Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, just to name a few.” After becoming the first person to circumnavigate the Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius on a unicycle, it was only natural that his next destination would be the Caribbean island of Jamaica.
Christo got into unicycling two years ago when he was watching friends taking up the still unusual sport. Says Christo, “It took me quite some time to learn and find my balance point.” Christo’s mission is to promote his home country of South Africa and after his very successful trip to Mauritius, people were asking where he would next circumnavigate. Explains the unicycler, “After I spoke so much about Jamaica, luckily a friend chipped in and paid for my ticket so I could fulfill my dream.”
Accompanied by his dad, Christo arrived in Jamaica on March 23 and started his cycling journey at 56 Hope Road, the Bob Marley Museum and former home of the musical superstar, where he got a send off in grand style by the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt. Explains the cycler, “From Kingston, we went east to Morant Bay and then counterclockwise around the island.”
Riding approximately 60 km per day followed by his dad and a photographer in a Suzuki motorcar sponsored by Steward Automotive, it took Christo 3 weeks to circle the island. Stunned by Jamaica’s extreme beauty and the warmth of the people,he encourages everybody to come and explore. Says the adventurer cheerfully, “I couldn’t have chosen a better destination, I enjoyed immensely the colours of the beautiful landscape and the music which you hear everywhere.“
On a mission to promote his home country and establish positive relations between the nations, he found a lot of connections between South Africa and Jamaica. For example, the in the black triangle with yellow lining and green of the Jamaican flag are said to have been copied by Nelson Mandela in the South African flag. Christo also found the culture and people of both nations to be quite similar.
After he finished his cycling journey, he met with the Hon. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture, who asked him what his most lasting impression was. “I told the minister that it is so hard to point out one single feature. The island is so lovely and diverse, but maybe my most lasting impression that I will always remember are the diverse scents that I experienced on my way.”
Loving reggae, Christo was also delighted to hear people along the way sing a song to him which perfectly matches his mission; Early B’s One Wheel Wheelie. Dis one dedicated to all diyutes who ride bicycle. Yute like Wass, HossmananButtah. I admire how diyutedem ride one wheel. Dis is di man call EARLY B di ting call One wheel wheelymekwiwheely one wheel.
Although an adventurer by heart, Christo holds an honours degree in Human Resources Management but occupies his time with coaching rugby, cricket and soccer. Also an author who is writing his second book now, the young man is devoted to promote positive human relations. Says Christo laughing, “I will certainly return to Jamaica. The people are very warm and inviting and I even received a number of marriage proposals by some very lovely ladies.”
Visit www.christocoetzer.withtank.com
When calling South African ChristoCoetzer after his journey around the island, he answers his phone with a hearty “Wahgwaan?”, which shows that he is not a newcomer to the Rock. The 24-year-old unicycler’s love story began quite some time ago with Jamaica’s greatest export, reggae music. Says the adventurer “It has always been my dream to visit Jamaica because I love reggae; Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, just to name a few.” After becoming the first person to circumnavigate the Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius on a unicycle, it was only natural that his next destination would be the Caribbean island of Jamaica.
Christo got into unicycling two years ago when he was watching friends taking up the still unusual sport. Says Christo, “It took me quite some time to learn and find my balance point.” Christo’s mission is to promote his home country of South Africa and after his very successful trip to Mauritius, people were asking where he would next circumnavigate. Explains the unicycler, “After I spoke so much about Jamaica, luckily a friend chipped in and paid for my ticket so I could fulfill my dream.”
Accompanied by his dad, Christo arrived in Jamaica on March 23 and started his cycling journey at 56 Hope Road, the Bob Marley Museum and former home of the musical superstar, where he got a send off in grand style by the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt. Explains the cycler, “From Kingston, we went east to Morant Bay and then counterclockwise around the island.”
Riding approximately 60 km per day followed by his dad and a photographer in a Suzuki motorcar sponsored by Steward Automotive, it took Christo 3 weeks to circle the island. Stunned by Jamaica’s extreme beauty and the warmth of the people,he encourages everybody to come and explore. Says the adventurer cheerfully, “I couldn’t have chosen a better destination, I enjoyed immensely the colours of the beautiful landscape and the music which you hear everywhere.“
On a mission to promote his home country and establish positive relations between the nations, he found a lot of connections between South Africa and Jamaica. For example, the in the black triangle with yellow lining and green of the Jamaican flag are said to have been copied by Nelson Mandela in the South African flag. Christo also found the culture and people of both nations to be quite similar.
After he finished his cycling journey, he met with the Hon. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture, who asked him what his most lasting impression was. “I told the minister that it is so hard to point out one single feature. The island is so lovely and diverse, but maybe my most lasting impression that I will always remember are the diverse scents that I experienced on my way.”
Loving reggae, Christo was also delighted to hear people along the way sing a song to him which perfectly matches his mission; Early B’s One Wheel Wheelie. Dis one dedicated to all diyutes who ride bicycle. Yute like Wass, HossmananButtah. I admire how diyutedem ride one wheel. Dis is di man call EARLY B di ting call One wheel wheelymekwiwheely one wheel.
Although an adventurer by heart, Christo holds an honours degree in Human Resources Management but occupies his time with coaching rugby, cricket and soccer. Also an author who is writing his second book now, the young man is devoted to promote positive human relations. Says Christo laughing, “I will certainly return to Jamaica. The people are very warm and inviting and I even received a number of marriage proposals by some very lovely ladies.”
Visit www.christocoetzer.withtank.com
