Three young Northlanders - including a reigning world champion and a rising star aged just 13 - are hoping to make their mark at the world unicycling championships in Italy next week.
Chris Huriwai, 21, of Otaua, near Kaikohe, Sam La Hood, 15, of Dargaville and 13-year-old Samuel Tzikoucos of Kaikohe fly out this weekend for next week's Unicom 2012 in the northern Italian city of Brixen.
Chris holds the world street unicycling title, won at Unicom 2010 in Wellington, while Sam, a Year 12 student at Dargaville High School, holds the Australian women's open title.
Samuel is hoping he can add to Northland's trophy collection by winning the world junior street unicycling title.
He has been practising every day and "cracking new tricks" such as the outflip, where he places one hand on the seat, pulls the seat out from under him and does a 180 or 540-degree flip.
"It's going to be awesome ... Meeting new riders, riding with them and learning new stuff," Samuel said.
He has been overseas just once before, to Australia. Samuel's father, George Tzikoucos, said he was hugely proud of his son.
"He's worked hard for this, he's committed, he's keen. It's not just about him, it's about our region, it's about Kaikohe," Mr Tzikoucos said.
"You don't often hear about good things coming out of Kaikohe but here's two young men who've taken up a sport and are representing New Zealand on the world stage."
Mr Tzikoucos also paid tribute to Chris, who had introduced the sport to Kaikohe and taken the time to bring out his son's abilities.
Samuel leaves Auckland on Sunday, accompanied by his mother, Roylena, while Chris and Sam fly out tomorrow.
The three Northlanders will meet in Brixen on Monday, with the main events in the street unicycling division taking place on Saturday, July 21.