TheCyr wheel (also known as theroue Cyr,mono wheel,[1] orsimple wheel) is an acrobatic apparatus that consists of a single large ring made of aluminum or steel with a diameter approximately 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) taller than the performer.[2][3] The performer stands inside the Cyr wheel and grasps its rim, causing it to roll and spin gyroscopically while performing acrobatic moves in and around the rotating wheel. The apparatus and its movement vocabulary have some similarities with theGerman wheel, but while the German wheel consists of two large rings linked together by horizontal crossbars and has handles for the performer to hold onto, the modern Cyr wheel consists of a single ring and has no handles.[4] The Cyr wheel takes its name from Daniel Cyr, who revived its popularity, utilising it as acircus apparatus at the end of the 20th century.
Cyr wheel requires a solid, non-slippery surface such as a dance floor, concrete or stage and a relatively large performance area.[citation needed]
There are records of people using a similar apparatus as sports equipment during the mid-20th century in Germany,[1][5] where it was referred to as theEinreifen ormono wheel, having been developed by Adalbert von Rekowski as a variation onOtto Feick's popularRhönrad (German wheel) – which is made from two parallel metal rings and resembles a large hamster wheel.[6][1]
Modern Cyr wheels are typically made of stainless steel tubing or aluminium tubing approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) in diameter. They are often composed of 3 or 5 individual pieces fixed together by steel or aluminium couplings. They may be painted and covered with an anti-slip plastic coating to add friction and protect the metal.[7][8][2]
Smaller wheels spin faster, work better for smaller spaces, and make "no hand" tricks easier than larger wheels. Larger wheels are more graceful and there is more room for suspensions.[9]
Around 1996, the wheel's construction was adapted and developed as a circus apparatus by Daniel Cyr, a graduate of theNational Circus School in Montreal and co-founder of thecontemporary circus troupeCirque Éloize.[3] Cyr claims the idea came to him from a largehula hoop and an old circular wrought-iron coat rack.[3] His design for the wheel went through several iterations, evolving from steel to aluminum, adding a PVC coating, and eventually implementing a multi-part design that could be disassembled for easier transportation.[10] Cyr first performed with the apparatus in the Cirque Éloize production ofExcentricus,[3] which toured North America, Europe and Asia between 1997 and 2002. He subsequently presented a Cyr wheel circus act at the 2003 Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain inParis and won the silver medal for his performance.[11]
Since its recent popularization as acircus skill, hundreds of circus artists from around the world have performed in the wheel and it is now taught in several major circus schools.[2] The USA Wheel Gymnastics Federation and the International Rhoenradturnen Verband, with significant assistance from coaches and athletes from theÉcole Nationale de Cirque de Montréal, developed rules for Cyr wheel competition. The first such competition was held inChicago in October 2011 and the first world championships in Cyr wheel competition was held during the 10th World Championships in Wheel Gymnastics, July 7–14, 2013 in Chicago.
Professionalcircus schools that offer advanced training on the Cyr wheel include: theEcole Supérieure des Arts du Cirque (ESAC) in Belgium, theNational Centre for Circus Arts in the UK, the Centre national des arts du cirque (CNAC) in France, theÉcole nationale de cirque (ENC) in Montreal, theNational Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in Australia, theInstituto Nacional de Artes do Circo (INAC) in Portugal.
| Acrobatics, balance, and contortion | |
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| Juggling andobject manipulation | |
| Vaulting | |
| Other | |
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