Links

NZ Ultimate
www.ultimate.org.nz

Beach Ultimate Lovers Association
www.beachultimate.org

Discraft
www.discraft.com

mini ultimate game
www.newyorkultimate.com/mini.cfm

Ocean Beach tournament, Whangarei
www.whereishayden.org/temp/oceanbeach/2008

Boutique Beach tournament, Napier
www.hbultimate.org.nz

NZ Beach Ultimate

Bronze for NZ!

NZ was represented at the inaugural Asian Champions of Beach Ultimate (ACBU) held in the Philippines in Oct/Nov 2009. It was held at the truly beautiful Boracay Island, hosted by the indomitable Boracay Dragons. Those guys don't have it too bad! Many of them own bars or are otherwise associated with the tourist industry in the Philippines' best and exclusive holiday island. The Boracays competed in the 2009 Beach Worlds in Brazil, coming 2nd in Open 14-12 to the Aussies; and then reversed that result in ACBU. Not only are they phenomenal on the beach - they are also great hosts -free alcohol all week (a Filipino ultimate tradition I am told), and terrific free accomodation (I think I got lucky - I had a luxury chalet, surrounded by several swimming pools with entertainment areas, and in-house beach-side bar and restaurant)! Our tournament finished on Halloween - yes, there was an absolute ripper of a fancy dress party - and with thousands of other island visitors determined to have a wild night sharing the fun! The Aussies definitely won the party. They had that won by about night two! Oh yeah there was some sport as well. I think. NZ got bronze in Mixed!

I can only say the best about this amazing tournament, the exquisite venue, and the really great hosts. Highly recommended, if you like holidays in paradise. Advice? Allow an extra day in your air travel, Philippines has a lot of typhoons; and allow time to learn to dive, its one of the best locations in the world. Speaking of typhoons, one blew past during our final! We could see it coming, up north it hit Manila and killed a few people, but just touched us. One minute beautiful, then a wall of dark clouds, then some of the coldest rain I've ever been in, really high winds, everyone soaked in an instant, and running for cover! With our Wellingtonian captain being very experienced with high winds, of course, we very nearly took the game in those few minutes! So close... just needed a bit more typhoon... !

For an idea of the fun and beauty, check some photos on http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=165006344286&ref=ts#!/photo_search.php?oid=165006344286&view=all

Northern Tall Dark and Handsome Types

NZ has a team at Paganello most years. Mostly made up of ex-pats and travellers, if you're in Europe, check out the busy tournament scene in advance, and try to join up with the excellent Paganello tournament in Italy.

NZ Tournaments

This year and every year is the year for you to visit New Zealand (and play awesome beach tournaments)!

Check the tournament timetables, and book your travel around those dates. You'll get to see great places and meet great people! Plus play some great ultimate!!

Wellington (Wgtn) is the “eventful capital”, world capital of mountain biking, and is full of things to do, with the famous Courtenay Place entertainment strip, funky Cuba St, the best coffee in NZ, amazing wind-surfing in the beautiful harbour, and is the gateway city either north or south. You can't still climb aboard Peter Jackson’s King Kong ship “Venture” moored in Miramar- now you can dive the sunken ship!

Wgtn Wild Wind tournament is north of Wgtn, at Otaki, a small sea-side township. This event’s feature is a beach-side BBQ meal followed by a fire on the beach, and night frisbee; plus extra games of “mini”, a non-stop version of beach ultimate to wear out those who haven’t been getting enough running around. This tournament hasn't been held recently.

Hawkes Bay is a beautiful part of New Zealand, with an excellent climate, many good wineries, and some magnificent beaches. The city of Napier was mostly destroyed by a major 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 1931, but the comprehensive reconstruction program implemented immediately after has made the city renowned world-wide as an excellent example of the art-deco architecture of that period. Boutique Beach is a wonderful chance to meet some local kiwis just enjoying our wonderful life! Not always annual, but always worth it!

Take the Napier-Taupo road inland to visit Lake Taupo and the central mountains, amongst NZ’s most picturesque visitor areas; or travel north along the scenic coast to Gisborne, and then either inland to the Bay of Plenty; or even around the isolated East Cape for some real kiwi heartland!

Ocean Beach has won many NZ tournament awards. Apparently I’ve been there but don’t remember much, so it must be good. Another beautiful location near Whangarei, another great party (I think…)

Whangarei is a city, north of Auckland, in the province of Northland. This part of NZ includes the historic and beautiful boaties’ paradise of Bay of Islands, strips of exquisite and isolated beach so long one that is even called 90 Mile Beach, forests of tall ancient NZ kauri trees, and the northern heads of Cape Reinga where the Tasman and Pacific Oceans meet. Check out the Conservation Department camp grounds for quality authentic experiences.

You can drive in one (long) day from Auckland to Wgtn; or fly cheaply if you book in advance. You can fly from Wgtn to Nelson beach and right to the Flat Out on the Beach Tournament; or you should take the Cook Strait ferry, for a really beautiful journey between the islands – especially the sunset crossing on the way back! (ps they have bars on board.)

The South Island has NZ’s most majestic scenery and is a must-see. Queenstown and the Lakes District; Central Otago; the Southern Alps; Golden Bay and Tasman National Park; the West Coast; and the many beautiful tramping tracks kept well-maintained by the Conservation Department. Nelson is at the top, northern end of the South Island. Do find the time to see some of the rest of the Island!

Nelson itself is a relaxed city in a really beautiful part of NZ. Many immigrants including a lot of northern Europeans have chosen it as their home, enjoying the beautiful natural environment, the craft and organic orientation, and the great lifestyle.

Kiwis are friendly, mostly honest, and welcoming. The climate is temperate, and during summer it is unlikely to be cold anywhere (but if you are in the great outdoors, always prepare wisely. For most of us this summer, that’ll mean lots of sunblock, water, and a hat!) Holidays here are affordable for most currencies. Around the country there are plenty of backpackers; Holiday Park campgrounds if you like some comfort; and Conservation Dept campgrounds near many natural attractions for a more authentic experience. Some tournaments include accommodation.

If you're like me, and have just checked all the links to find that NZ beach ultimate is in a sad state, then maybe its time we did something about it! I mean, we do have some great beaches here! What happened to all those easy-going beach-loving Kiwis!? We do focus a lot on grass ultimate, and indoors is very popular right through winter. Check websites and make contact to find out where the pick-up is going down. Is everyone really too busy to find time to play the best sport ever in the best venue with the best after-parties!!!!?

Wellington Open Day:
Check out some photos from the Wellington Open Day held at Oriental Bay Beach, Sat 19 January 2008.

Disc Sales:
Check out this awesome NZ souvenir disc design by lafisal. Newly designed for 2008 with more white showing on the rim! Ultrastar 175gm Supercolour, full colour over the whole top of the disc.
$20 each - sorry, hot demand, all gone! Wgtn two-tone green "fern" design, and Wgtn "seismic" design discs available. Courier fee $5 per disc in NZ. Enquire here to buy, or available at Wgtn Wild Wind.

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