Point Break - Rome review
Paul P
www.lauracincotta.com/rome) tournament held the weekend after
Paganello in Rome simply because it was so unusual.
I saw an announcement for Point Break Rome on RSD a couple months ago
that included the link and sent it to a friend who had studied in
Rome. It turned out that she knew the organizer, an American expat.
The whole thing sounded a little sketchy but I had never been to Italy
and it had potential. Five of us from DC decided to make the trip. All
regionals level players who play 2-3 times a week on average. I think
we would each describe ultimate as a big part of our lives, but not at
a hyper-competitive level. The tourney promised three days 'lodging'
in Rome as well as a couple meals all for about $120 each. Cheap. The
e-mails we got from the organizer didn't have a lot of names on the
list so we were a little worried about the quality of play and if it
would even happen. It looked like only about 20 people were signed up.
At that point we had already bought tickets and it had become as much
about going to Italy as it was about playing in some weird hat
tournament. We were determined to have fun no matter what happened.
Stragely, and for various reasons, only one of our five went to Paga.
We rallied in Venice hanging out for a couple days before going on to
Florence for a day then on to Rome. We were assigned to 'Casa Posh'
where the pre-tourney party/meet-n-greet was happening Thursday night.
Other players were lodging at 'Casa Sparta' across town. We ate a bit
and drank a little.
Overall there were 9 Americans, 4 Belgians, 4 Germans, a Portuguese
fellow, a South African and a French guy plus the three organizers. I
believe there were 6 women total. Most of the Europeans had also
attended Paganello.
At the kickoff meeting that night Laura, her husband Valerio and their
co-organizer Salvo explained a bit about what was going to happen. We
would play short field ultimate in piazzas and other public spaces
throughout the city. We had no permits. The organizers stod ready to
run interference by explaining the spectacle to police and whoever
else to delay getting us kicked out of a space. We would play timed
games when we could and short games if booted out of a space. Games
would be over by 2 and then we would have the balance of the day to do
whatever we wanted until the tournament dinner at around 8 the first
two nights. Teams were assigned with four teams of four or five
people. There were still a number of folks yet to arrive, the Germans
and another American living in Madrid. Everyone, including the
organizers, seemed a bit nervous about what was going to happen the
next morning.
In the morning we were treated to cappuccinos and croissants for
breakfast at a local cafe and wait for the two houses to gather. When
we were all there we set out towards our first location. On the way
our hosts pointed out various landmarks. We stopped in Piazza Navona,
dropped our gear next to a bench and tossed a little while Valerio and
Salvo put down some cones. There were two cops giving someone a ticket
or something and two others in a car. Once the two police officers in
the car left and the other two walked to the other side of the piazza
we took our 'field' and played a combined-squad 7 on 7. The space was
too small for sevens, IMHO, but it was fun nonetheless. The Europeans
play a lot more indoor ultimate and seemed unfazed by the lack of
space. We Americans were a bit handicapped by the small field but we
eventually adjusted. Play was quick and spirited. A large part of the
experience was performing for the bemused and bewildered locals and
tourists. There was a lot of foot traffic but people respected our
'field' and watched with interest. We played for maybe 20-25 minutes
before last point was called, we picked up our cones and moved on. I
have to say that while I'm not sure I would call it 'Ultimate' in the
strictest sense it was a lot of fun.
The scene was repeated in various venues for the next three days. We
played in four places each day. Usually 4 on 4 or 5 on 5 'Ultimate'.
Every day there was one location that the organizers knew that we
would be able to play unmolested for as long as we wanted. We were
kicked out of spaces three times, once each day.
We were told politely but firmly that all that the only activity
allowed in St Peter's square was prayer.
We were kicked out of a perfectly reasonable little park where we were
playing hot box by the police. I still can't understand why.
Ironically, it was in Piazza Venezia, right in front of a huge Fascist
monument.
We were quickly booted out of a little Piazza I can't remember the
name of by plainclothes police. To be fair, it was exceptionally
crowded and there was a near collision with a vendor's wares.
We successfully played in Circus Maximus (now a big grassy area), near
the Borghese Museum, on the banks of the Tiber, just outside the
Colosseum, in numerous piazzas and in the ruins of an ancient basilica
in the Forum, my personal favorite. In almost every venue we were a
curiosity that attracted attention from tourists and locals alike.
By the end of the third day we were all into it completely. Game to
play anywhere and eager for the next venue. There was talk of other
cities where the concept could be successful and talk of expanding the
number of players. The number of participants for the initial tourney
was intentionally kept low for manageability. The guy from Madrid
talked about trying to get it together there.
Overall, I would recommend the tournament/format with some caveats:
You need to have a sense of adventure.
You can't expect big, full games.
It isn't for the ultra-competitive or for purists. We played
flutterguts once and hot box, never one of my favorite games -once
each. The overall level of play was pretty pickuppy, but quite fun.
You have to be ready to do a lot of walking around. This is easy in a
big city with as much history and interesting stuff to see as Rome.
It would be cool to see this type of thing continue. It was a cheap
and fun way to be a tourist in an interesting city.
Paul P
yerbile yang
letting rsd in on the images.
tebewebb
If I were your young age, I can totally imagine having a good time
doing this.
DC Funk should organize games on the White House lawn, in the middle
of the Pentagon, under the Department of Energy, on the roof of the
CIA, and in the Capitol dome.
Stephen
DC Funk
formerly FoF, once Gun, permanently Happy
Paul P
> Sounds like some great pictures could have been taken. Any chance on
> letting rsd in on the images.
How about a trailer: