By Alesha Capone
Students were on a roll when they attended a wheel gymnastics course in Werribee last week.
Head coach of the Cyr and German Wheel Club, Ludwig Schukin – who is also a trainer at the National Institute of Circus Arts in Prahran – is running the Summer Holiday Wheel Intensive at Eagle Stadium.
People have come from across Melbourne and Geelong to study under the expertise of Mr Schukin, who grew up in a Russian circus family and has travelled the world with Cirque du Soleil and the Moscow State Circus.
Mr Schukin, a Melton resident, said that although wheel gymnastics was a popular performance art, not many people know the sport also has a bi-annual World Championships.
He said his dream was to build a team to compete at the championships, and he has started training two of his children in wheel gymnastics so they can join the squad.
He said that while some people were scared to try wheel gymnastics, “with the proper supervision, there is a little chance to hurt yourself”.
“Right now, I’m really enjoying it because I’m teaching, I love the lightbulb moment when a student says, ‘This is actually so easy’,” he said.
Mr Schukin said he would like to thank the administration team at Eagle Stadium, including Alf Saunders, for providing him with a venue to host wheel gymnastics classes.
“It was really tough to find a space and he has really given me a chance and given me help,” Mr Schukin said.
Details: www.wheelgymclub.com.au/
