Our friends at UBK Studios in Chicago have prepared a trailer! The full version is expected early March.
Nice shots, and great sound. To enjoy it fully, watch it on YouTube, in HD, and full screen. Just click on the YouTube logo.
January 20, 2011
January 9, 2011
Petanque: good for your wallet
A central Florida newspaper ran an article today about how baby boomers are getting more frugal every day. Taking nothing for granted anymore, they watch every cent they spend. The article has some interesting statistics, worth a read.Highlands Today - Jan 9, 2011 - Affording retirement
With a photo of petanque! No surprise here: petanque is by far the cheapest form of outdoor entertainment. A set of 3 boules is all you need, good for years and years of fun. The cost per game works out to a couple of cents. Nominal when compared to golf, or bowling, or tennis.
By the way, Tanglewood in Sebring has eight beautiful courts, that are used constantly. And every year there are new petanque converts. Here's my report from 2006.
November 26, 2010
The Open results
Another edition of the Open has come and gone...Here's the list of the top teams in the 8 final brackets.
Thanks to all the players, the sponsors, the City of Fernandina Beach, and the numerous volunteers who all contributed to making this one even better than the previous one!
Competition and camaraderie went hand in hand.
More reports coming soon.
September 26, 2010
Open 2010 Team updates
Registration is now closed.It is possible a few spots open up due to cancellations. If you want to go on the waiting list, please email.
Sep 26 - IL, AL & GA, for a total of 23 states.
Sep 6 - WV, NJ & MA- only a few spots left.
Sep 2 - 68 signed up, 23 announced. We're almost there!
Aug 29 - 55 teams formally registered. 25 teams announced by mail or phone. 6 single players looking for a teammate.
Aug 23 - Ohio and Louisiana
Aug 18 - 40 teams and counting.
Aug 10 - New York & New Mexico
Aug 5 - Texas
Aug 3 - One more state (Maine), plus the first confirmed teams from Quebec, Canada!
Aug 1 - We're now at 25 teams, from 11 states. If you haven't yet, register here. Airlines are coming up with "Fall fares".
July 24 - Things seem to go much faster than last year. As of today, 16 weeks before the tournament, we already have about 20 teams from 10 states signed up.
Aug 10 - New York & New Mexico
Aug 5 - Texas
Aug 3 - One more state (Maine), plus the first confirmed teams from Quebec, Canada!
Aug 1 - We're now at 25 teams, from 11 states. If you haven't yet, register here. Airlines are coming up with "Fall fares".
July 24 - Things seem to go much faster than last year. As of today, 16 weeks before the tournament, we already have about 20 teams from 10 states signed up.
September 5, 2010
Wyoming Open 2010
Our friends in Jackson WY are preparing for another Open tournament.The invitation is crystal clear: come and have fun!
We were hoping for one or two Wyoming teams to come to Amelia Island in November, but there's an unexpected clash in travel plans.
But we'll definitely see them on a next occasion!
August 26, 2010
Simple, short but fun tournaments
For the past 2 months, Amelia Island Boules Club meets every Wednesday night at Cafe Karibo, starting at 6pm.Beautiful setting (nice & drinks galore), but ... there are only 2 courts, you never know how many people will show up, and at what time. The courts are lit, but most folks like to head home by 8:30pm.
So one needs to improvise. We use a deck of cards to mix players into teams, fast. Doubles or triples - or some of both if need be - , depending on the attendance.
The usual way to "compact" games is to play to e.g. 7 points instead of 13 or to limit the game to, say 30 minutes. Both systems have pros and cons.
Thanks to input from pragmatic members (hat tip to Colleen & John), we now shorten games to 4 rounds (or ends, or throws or "mènes" in French). It's simple, fair, and there's no room for misinterpretation. A game lasts 20 to 25 minutes.
For instance tonight, we had 16 players, and made 8 teams of two. A total of 12 games were played, plus a tiebreaker between the two teams that won their 3 games.
By 8:30 the winners were known, and got the weekly $30 gift certificate from Cafe Karibo.
August 19, 2010
Petanque in the world
The Associated Press article below was an incentive to update the post I wrote in 2007 about player statistics worldwide.
In 1979, the international petanque federation - FIPJP - represented 18 countries, with a total of 403,963 members, of which 375,603 in France.
In 2009, the number of countries had jumped to 88, with a total of 531,233 members, of which 313,985 in France.
This means that France's portion of worldwide licensed players shrunk from 93 to 59 % , and that the rest of the world jumped 775 %.
In all fairness, this has a lot to do with the fact that the French petanque federation started requiring medical certificates a few years ago. Anyone who has walked around on a 'boulodrome' in Provence knows that "une visite médicale" would not rank highly as a favorite pastime.
But it also means that, if it wasn't for the tremendous interest petanque has generated outside France, the overall numbers would be way down.
That's why all of us in ROW ("rest of the world") need to insist that FiPJP (with a small "i") becomes FIPJP with a big "I". Their new website was a good step. Trainer Victor Nataf coming to Fresno was another one.
Yet it is still very much a "We decide, you've got to live with it" affair.
Witness the fiasco of the Taiwan World Championships (moved to Turkey at the last minute, causing extra expenses for many teams) and the weird decision to have two teams (USA & Canada) vie for the two "American continent" slots. Why do folks have to spend money in airfare and hotels if you know in advance they'll be qualified?
Obviously some of these people have no knowledge of the outside world and different cultures. No experience in organizing, logistics and communications. Yet they seem to believe their involvement is irreplaceable.
I will get some flack for this criticism but it is time to call a spade a spade. With "Google Translate" that becomes "appeler un chat un chat". Good. That's what I meant. I hope the rest of the text translates well too!
In 1979, the international petanque federation - FIPJP - represented 18 countries, with a total of 403,963 members, of which 375,603 in France.In 2009, the number of countries had jumped to 88, with a total of 531,233 members, of which 313,985 in France.
This means that France's portion of worldwide licensed players shrunk from 93 to 59 % , and that the rest of the world jumped 775 %.
In all fairness, this has a lot to do with the fact that the French petanque federation started requiring medical certificates a few years ago. Anyone who has walked around on a 'boulodrome' in Provence knows that "une visite médicale" would not rank highly as a favorite pastime.
But it also means that, if it wasn't for the tremendous interest petanque has generated outside France, the overall numbers would be way down.
That's why all of us in ROW ("rest of the world") need to insist that FiPJP (with a small "i") becomes FIPJP with a big "I". Their new website was a good step. Trainer Victor Nataf coming to Fresno was another one.
Yet it is still very much a "We decide, you've got to live with it" affair.
Witness the fiasco of the Taiwan World Championships (moved to Turkey at the last minute, causing extra expenses for many teams) and the weird decision to have two teams (USA & Canada) vie for the two "American continent" slots. Why do folks have to spend money in airfare and hotels if you know in advance they'll be qualified?
Obviously some of these people have no knowledge of the outside world and different cultures. No experience in organizing, logistics and communications. Yet they seem to believe their involvement is irreplaceable.
I will get some flack for this criticism but it is time to call a spade a spade. With "Google Translate" that becomes "appeler un chat un chat". Good. That's what I meant. I hope the rest of the text translates well too!
Petanque's got swank
This has been a great summer for petanque in the press.To spread the word faster, I post them on Facebook as I see them.
Last week the Globe and Mail published an article with a nice slideshow about Paris Plages.
But the big "carreau" came today when Associated Press ran a story that got picked up by thousands of news outlets worldwide. Emma Vandore (based in Paris) looks at the game from an international angle, from Manhattan via Paris to Bangkok. Here's how it appeared today in the Washington Post.French bowling? Yes, petanque's got swank.
Some papers may have used it only on their online version, not necessarily in the print copy, but still, it's a great addition to our Petanque in the US Press saga.
Sincere thanks to Emma Vandore for the interest.
August 10, 2010
Petanque in America - a movie!
When I saw the short documentary Ludo in June, I liked how the game was presented. The camaraderie, the cheerfulness, combined with top quality photography, editing and sound.
The Open in Amelia Island will be the perfect occasion to capture this same spirit, on American soil, in English. Players from at least 20 states and beyond, who drive or fly in to meet, mingle, play, and have a good time. We will also use some footage to make a short but nice "How to play pétanque" tutorial.
All elements are in place, but UBK Studios needs help with funding.
We invite everyone in the English speaking world who loves pétanque to pitch in.
Do it for the game. Thanks in advance.
Petanque / UBK Studios site
PS: After posting the above, it struck me: though we don't mind mailing the same old DVD's about pétanque, in French, from Florida to the four corners of the world, isn't it time to move on to a next level?
The Open in Amelia Island will be the perfect occasion to capture this same spirit, on American soil, in English. Players from at least 20 states and beyond, who drive or fly in to meet, mingle, play, and have a good time. We will also use some footage to make a short but nice "How to play pétanque" tutorial.
All elements are in place, but UBK Studios needs help with funding.
We invite everyone in the English speaking world who loves pétanque to pitch in.
Do it for the game. Thanks in advance.
Petanque / UBK Studios site
PS: After posting the above, it struck me: though we don't mind mailing the same old DVD's about pétanque, in French, from Florida to the four corners of the world, isn't it time to move on to a next level?
August 3, 2010
Brooklyn Bastille Day 2010
For the second year in a row, Valérie and her family flew in all the way from Aix-en-Provence to participate and document the street festival. She did an amazing job at capturing the spirit, the faces, ànd what goes on around the play area.
Watch it in HD and full screen.
Watch it in HD and full screen.
Honky Tonk Petanque 2010
The City of Republic (abt 2 1/2 hrs NW of Spokane) is gearing up for their 4th annual petanque tournament!
<--- click to see the nice poster! Honky Tonk Pétanque - Sept 18
July 30, 2010
Petanque @ Paris Plages
Last week the Seine river banks were once again tranformed into a narrow, long beach, called Paris Plages. L'Express went to interview the lady in charge of the pétanque courts, from 9 am till midnight. Play and loaner boules are all free, and the non-profit organization makes up for the expenses with the "buvette", i.e. the outdoor bar.
Brilliant idea.
And when Paris police officers have no urgent matters to attend, they keep busy otherwise ...
Brilliant idea.
And when Paris police officers have no urgent matters to attend, they keep busy otherwise ...
Petanque (and a pig) in Prague!
Letenský zámeček is a unique restaurant in the heart of Letná park with wonderful views over the historic centre of Prague. And with a pétanque play area.
On Sept 2nd they're holding their 8th Pétanque Party.
Here's the ad. I wish I could go.... lots of good Pilsner :-)
(Publicis is a French multinational advertising agency, one of the top 3 worldwide)
On Sept 2nd they're holding their 8th Pétanque Party.
Here's the ad. I wish I could go.... lots of good Pilsner :-)
(Publicis is a French multinational advertising agency, one of the top 3 worldwide)
Portland Bouligans on Channel 8 KGW
The Portland Bouligans - the downtown Portland, Oregon club that plays on Jamison Square- made it on the 6 o'clock news.
Good show!
July 29, 2010
Let's play 'boules'
This one is cute!
We have a lot of schools here in the US using pétanque during French classes.
Here you have the opposite: a high school in Grasse (the world's capital of perfume, 12 miles NW of Cannes) decided to make a simple movie in English to teach pétanque to foreign students!
Bravo for a job well done!
(there's one tiny error at rule # 3: should be 6 meters i.s.o. 3)
We have a lot of schools here in the US using pétanque during French classes.
Here you have the opposite: a high school in Grasse (the world's capital of perfume, 12 miles NW of Cannes) decided to make a simple movie in English to teach pétanque to foreign students!
Bravo for a job well done!
(there's one tiny error at rule # 3: should be 6 meters i.s.o. 3)
Petanque vs Boule Provençale
A bit of controversy on French TV channel LCM yesterday.
A guest came on to present the merits of the old game "Jeu Provençal" and the "Provencal 13" tournament going on right now in Marseille. That's wonderful, except that he kept stating that pétanque was the older game, and that "la longue" - as it is also known - was actually derived from pétanque. I couldn't believe my ears!
The host herself doesn't buy it either but allows him carry on. By the end of the program she relates that many people called in to the station to protest his version of history.
No analogy is perfect, but imagine a reporter on a London program claiming that rugby was in fact derived from American football :-)
Sorry, it's all in French, but some of the player action in the first minute is worth watching.
A guest came on to present the merits of the old game "Jeu Provençal" and the "Provencal 13" tournament going on right now in Marseille. That's wonderful, except that he kept stating that pétanque was the older game, and that "la longue" - as it is also known - was actually derived from pétanque. I couldn't believe my ears!
The host herself doesn't buy it either but allows him carry on. By the end of the program she relates that many people called in to the station to protest his version of history.
No analogy is perfect, but imagine a reporter on a London program claiming that rugby was in fact derived from American football :-)
Sorry, it's all in French, but some of the player action in the first minute is worth watching.
July 27, 2010
Petanque in Zanesfield, Ohio
Mike and his friends in Zanesfield, a town of 220 active souls, along the Mad River, thought pétanque would be a nice addition to the town's social activities.He must have a lot of friends - some with nice equipment, to boot - because in a matter of hours the new club had its regulation size court, with ample room for more. Play times will be Wed & Sat at 2:00 and Thu at 6:30.
Welcome to Zanesfield, another new marker on the Petanque in the USA map!
Boules are cool!
We definitely - I've said it before - owe thanks to Karl Lagerfeld whose event in St Tropez in May has attracted the attention of many journalists.
How boules got cool - Guardian - July 28
July 24, 2010
PA Open - Airfares to JAX (Jacksonville)
AirFareWatchDog A good place to start
http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/cheap-flights/to-jacksonville-florida/1043/
AIRTRAN Travel by Nov 17, book by July 27
http://www.airtran.com/sale/JAX.aspx?saleID
American Airlines - Travel by Nov 17
http://www.aa.com/netsaaver/viewNetSAAverSpecialsDetails.do?fN=DOMFare.Sale.xml&locale=en_US&saleId=18
http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/cheap-flights/to-jacksonville-florida/1043/
AIRTRAN Travel by Nov 17, book by July 27
http://www.airtran.com/sale/JAX.aspx?saleID
American Airlines - Travel by Nov 17
http://www.aa.com/netsaaver/viewNetSAAverSpecialsDetails.do?fN=DOMFare.Sale.xml&locale=en_US&saleId=18
Petanque league in Colorado
Well, David and friends in Lakewood (SW Denver) Colorado have been doing just that for 4 years, on two courts in his and a neighbor's backyard. Plus the public bocce courts around the corner. And more private courts are in the works.
Have a look at the website , with pictures of the courts, the players and lots of info and specific rules. Very well done!
July 22, 2010
La Boule NY on NPR
You can read ànd hear it on this link:
French Game Draws Melange To New York City Park
PS: one of the comments below the article laments that it is an "all male" game. That may be the case in France, and less so every year, but certainly not in other countries. Especially the US where the proportion ladies / men is very much 50/50.
July 21, 2010
Brooklyn Bastille Day
It's hot!! Quelle chaleur!! Que calor!!
Was the most common phrase this past Sunday in Brooklyn.
On the other hand, there was enough liquid (in all tastes & colors) available to extinguish a California brush fire ;-)
Metromix NY already put up a slide show with nice pics.
Below you see team 13 - Jeannot, Bernard & Xavier - who beat team 64 - Bruce, Saul & Peter - in the finals with a tie breaker. At that point the score was 5 / 5, but the street had to be re-opened for traffic and there were only a few minutes left. One doesn't argue with the NYPD!! Actually we are lucky that once a year they allow this unusual street party to happen.
Once again, a wonderful petanque event, enjoyed by thousands of spectators.
Was the most common phrase this past Sunday in Brooklyn.
On the other hand, there was enough liquid (in all tastes & colors) available to extinguish a California brush fire ;-)
Metromix NY already put up a slide show with nice pics.
Below you see team 13 - Jeannot, Bernard & Xavier - who beat team 64 - Bruce, Saul & Peter - in the finals with a tie breaker. At that point the score was 5 / 5, but the street had to be re-opened for traffic and there were only a few minutes left. One doesn't argue with the NYPD!! Actually we are lucky that once a year they allow this unusual street party to happen.
July 11, 2010
Petanque at Club Med
A bunch of folks from the Kiva Club at Vistancia (close to Peoria, Arizona) spent a couple of days at Club Med in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and enjoyed a petanque tourney on the (hard part of the) beach. What a dream location: palm trees, Presidente, and petanque!
Those boules look familiar!
Those boules look familiar!
July 5, 2010
Petanque in Esperance, NY
The latest new club to join FPUSA is "Boule on Kill".Don't be intimidated by the name: "kill" is an old Dutch word, meaning "creek" and is commonly used in NY state, as in Catskill or Peekskill.
Lise, her family and friends have been avid players for years.
She reports further:
We have junior and adults 7 to77 just like Tintin.Taking inspiration from Boules du Dimanche, we have a food and beverage coordinator as food and petanque has always been a good combo!
What a romantic spot!
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