History of the IUF

Starting in 1980, Jack Halpern (Japan) visited other unicycling countries and put together a proposal for the establishment of an international unicycling federation (IUF). In 1982, the IUF declared itself, with a small list of representatives in a small number of countries. But who would dare take the boldest step of hosting the first international convention? After the 1983 Unicycling Society of America (USA) National Unicycle Meet in Syracuse, NY, that decision was made. There are unicyclists from 9 countries at that NUM, and it seemed the time was ripe. JeanPaul Jenack, son of USA founder Bill Jenack, promoted the idea among the people he knew could make it work. Principal organizers were JeanPaul Jenack, Meryl Schaffer, Al Hemminger, and host Ken Fuchs.