Kris Holm is a Canadian best known for riding a unicycle in off-road conditions. Kris has ridden since 1986 and is considered one of the pioneers of off-road unicycling, and is the world's best-known unicyclist. He is the founder of competitive unicycle trials (unicycle obstacle riding) and was the 2005 European, 2002 World, and 1999 North American unicycle trials champion. He also held the unicycle sidehop world record from 1998-2004 (since broken), and performed trials demonstrations with the Norco Factory Trials Team from 1998-2006.
Kris has ridden off-road in many countries, including the summit of the highest mountain in Central America, the summit of the 3rd highest mountain in North America, trade-routes across the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, and on the Great Wall of China. In 2006, Kris climbed and attempted a unicycle descent of Licancabur, a 5950 m volcano in Bolivia. In 2010, Kris competed against bikes in the 7-day BC Bike Race, becoming the first unicyclist to reach the podium in a major mountain bike race, with a 3rd place finish (Men’s Solo, Challenge Category) on Stage 5.
Kris was the first rider to bring mountain unicycling to a mainstream audience through film, television, and magazine features, and has been an outspoken advocate for public awareness of his sport. He has appeared in over 200 media features since 1998, including 13 films screened at mountain film festivals and festival tours. This exposure caused a major increase in the worldwide popularity of unicycling. His film, Into the Thunder Dragon, was named “One of the Top Twenty Adventure DVD’s of All Time” in the December 2005 issue of Men’s Journal. He has also been featured in many mainstream print publications, including Sports Illustrated Adventure, Men’s Journal, Men’s Fitness, ESPN Magazine, and National Geographic Adventure.
Kris founded Kris Holm Unicycles (KHU) in 1999. Early models were prone to failure and breakages were common. KHU is now distributed around the world. KHU also sponsors a Factory Team, and offers the Evolution of Balance Award, a grant awarded annually to a team proposing a creative mountain unicycling adventure. KHU was the first Canadian company and first cycling brand to join One Percent for the Planet, an alliances of businesses donating 1% of gross revenue towards environmental causes. Kris has acted as an ambassador for the 1% brand since 2011.
Kris graduated with a M.Sc. from the University of British Columbia in 2002, and works as a professional geoscientist in addition to managing his unicycling brand. He lives with his wife in Vancouver, Canada.
Read more about Kris Holm: Video Appearances, Select Media Appearances, Select Film Festival Appearances