NORTH BEND – Everybody knows the Valley is home to lots of old trains and some pretty impressive water falls, but what about all the unicyclists?

For years, a large group of unicyclists have met at North Bend Elementary School to prepare for annual competitions against top unicyclists around the country and around the globe. This year is no exception.

Twenty-one kids and adults from the Panther Pride Unicycle Team will travel to the National Unicycle Convention and Championship this July in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Many area unicyclists got their start in elementary school physical education classes. As interest grew during the ’80s, the Panther Pride Unicycle Team was born. In the past, the Valley has hosted two national championships and one international championship.

“Some riders have their sights on the 2006 World Championship in Switzerland,” said Barb Kowalski, business manager for the Panthers. Some Panthers even traveled to Japan last summer to take part in unicycling events.

And the Panthers tend to excel when they make it to a championship. Last year in Utah, 21 riders came back with 280 awards including 83 first-place awards.

Each championship consists of indoor or “freestyle” events that include individual acts, pairs, group, club and standard skills. These acts are very similar to competitive figure skating competitions complete with costumes, music, props and choreography. The outdoor segments mimic track, basketball and even hockey events – all on the unicycle.

Though it would seem like enough of a feat to master riding a regular unicycle, some Panthers take to 8-foot and 10-foot unicycles with ease. Others ride two- and three-wheeled unicycles, performing all sorts of tricks.

Professional unicyclists are ranked in 10 skill levels. The most highly skilled Panthers are level seven riders. Making it to different levels means a rider can do certain things on the unicycle, including standing on the “fork” of a unicycle, putting both feet on the tire or making the unicycle go with their hands.

Kowalski said a lot of kids get stuck on level five, which is hopping. But regardless of which level they end up at, each championship is about more than just skills. Many Panthers have made lifelong friends around the country through the championships.

“When you go to these events, it’s like going to a family reunion,” Kowalski said. “You see the same people every year. It’s fun to see how they become friends.”

Some kids start riding as young as 3 years of age, and some beginners get the hang of it in a couple hours and are ambling all over the gym at North Bend Elementary. But there’s no tricks to becoming good at it, said Karen Rabideau, treasurer for the Panthers and gumbo cook.

“Like anything else, it’s how you get to Carnegie Hall – practice, practice, practice,” Rabideau said.

To raise money for the championship and to show off their skills, the Panthers will host a “Gumbo Dinner” on April 9 in the North Bend Elementary multipurpose room, 400 E. Third St., North Bend, at 5:30 p.m. Meals cost $6 and include gumbo, rice, bread, a cookie and a drink. A hot dog meal will also be available for $3. Tickets for the dinner may be purchased at the school or at the door the evening of the event. Following dinner, guests will be treated to a public performance by the Panthers in the gym. There will also be a raffle of prizes from local businesses. Proceeds from the March 19 fund raiser will go toward travel costs, fees, jerseys and equipment costs.

And if you can’t make it to the dinner, check out the March 19 “Unithon” in which the Panthers will compete to see who can do the most laps and win great prizes. Panthers are collecting pledges for the event now and will perform in the North Bend Elementary gym at 10 a.m.