Hi, Klaas.
Yes. We've been working on this for over two years now.
U-Turn has also spent a lot of time and effort on this.
Several other riders from all over the world have helped in various
ways, too.
The Technical levels have been very difficult to design, but we have
made progress. If anyone would like to help, please let me know. We
have a set of skill tests now that we're getting ready to field test,
but we need more input.
My email is: unicyclecentral at hotmail dot com
And, with the help of some clubs around the U.S., we're field testing
several of the other new skill divisions right now.
The new skill system is much broader. It includes many different styles
of riding, and it's also divided into tiers by difficulty -- Beginning,
Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert.
After completing the beginning tier, riders can branch out to several
new divisions in Tier 2, including Artistic, Technical, Tall, UW, and
others. From there, they can keep progressing to the next higher set of
skills, and they can also try out new divisions. So, riders who are
mainly interested in Artistic riding can also switch at some point and
pass some levels in giraffe riding, or UW riding, or whatever else
interests them.
The new system is easy to expand, and there can always be a new set of
skills to learn in any of the various divisions.
Plus, in the higher tiers, there will be required skills and then a list
of skills to choose from. That way, if riders find that just one skill
is holding them back, they may be able to keep progressing without doing
that particular skill (if it isn't a required skill, of course).
So far, new riders like it quite a bit, because it provides more
encouragement right away. It's difficult to learn to ride and to
freemount, so those skills are in different base levels, which makes it
easier for new riders to make progress early on.
Skill levels aren't for everyone, but they are helpful for many people.
They help riders set challenges, and they make it easier for people to
compare their skills with others, based on a common set of rules. Many
people find them personally motivating, but there are people who don't
like any structure at all.
Members of the USA, Inc. Skills Development Committee have looked at
many other sports as they've developed the new system. We've used quite
a bit of information from the history of figure skating in this process.
If you want to hear more, or help out, please let me know!
Thanks.
Carol
Minnesota
USA, Inc. Skills Development Committee Chair
--
Carol McLean - Likes Pedal Pushers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carol McLean's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/3302
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/39060