i second seattle. anyone in seattle think so? leon? mess? drew? soren? anyone? fuck, i'd even take jarod at this point...
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
2009 World Bike Polo Championship???
So with the CMWC taking place next year in Tokyo does anyone else agree that now is the time for us to make a break for it and have a world championship tournament of our own? That is to say a completely separate entity from the CMWC. The past two years have seen a huge surge in the popularity of bike polo, particularly on the east coast, with the midwest making the switch from grass to hardcourt. Is now our time? Where could it be held? What time of the year? Am I pissing into the wind?
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 07:09pm
#3
I think Chicago makes a fine destination for a large tourney. They've proven that they can handle such a thing.
Although I'm sure the suggestion that the effort become annual is sending Ben Schultz into conniptions.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 07:09pm
#4
we want a huge annual tourney. we thought it was a lot of fun, and it was great to host such an amazing array of playing.
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 08:09pm
#5
I'd suggest that is not be within a month before or after Tokyo CMWC because some folks may want to do both, believe it or not.
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 08:09pm
#6
we can schedule it just right. seattle 2009.
Wed Sep 10, 2008, 03:09pm
#7
If in Seattle, I'd like to see it around July. But that would probably be to early (thinks of doing the STP again). Maybe a week off of Bubmershoot?
Thu Sep 11, 2008, 02:09am
#8
Keep your hippie events out of this. This is about bike polo, not fumberbumble and the rainbow honeybee tribe.
Thu Sep 11, 2008, 03:09pm
#9
Bumbershoot, it's an old(oldoldold) slang word for umbrella (which nobody in seattle uses, unless your a big rain pussy). It's also a giant music festival, only about a third of it is hippy rainbow honeybee your mom tribe.
If I go out there for polo I'm staying a week at least, just want to pack in as much Western WA as I can.
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 08:09pm
#10
It would be great to see the birth place of polo host the first BPWC.
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 08:09pm
#11
i think that the hosting cities should put in bids. Too make sure that there is good courts and other essentials to bike polo essentials.
jonny
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 08:09pm
#12
And better strip clubs than Chicago... "Gentlemen's clubs", for which I am chronically underdressed can suck it. Seriously, fuck that dumb noise.
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 09:09pm
#14
Seattle sounds great.
----------------------------------
Moooooo!
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 10:09pm
#15
I think Seattle makes a hell of a lot of sense. Count me in for helping out, in whichever way I can.
My second vote is for New York City.
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 10:09pm
#16
also, if Seattle IS the location of the first BPWC, that makes for a very good argument for it being VERY close to the CMWC in Tokyo. It'd make it a much shorter trip for a lot of people to go from Tokyo to Seattle than from XXXX to Seattle.
Maybe.
Just something to think about.
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Wed Sep 3, 2008, 11:09pm
#18
Wherever it is, I agree that it should be separate. And that it should definitely happen. I am personally much less interested in CMWC now than I would be in a BPWC, and I would be curious to know how many people really would want to go to both (I'm guessing not a ton). And Jonny's right, potential host cities should put in bids. Should there be a deadline for bids?
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 12:09am
#19
shut up johnny, you are not a messenger so nobody cares if you want to go to CMWC next year.
Ken, you suck
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 01:09pm
#20
Oh and Doug, I was a courier while you were still in diapers, riding your tricycle down the sidewalk in podunkville Ohio (or maybe i just have you confused with a tattoo I saw somewhere...). In any case, paid my dues, thanks!
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 05:09pm
#21
i am not unaware that you were once a messenger. but tell me the years and i'll fill you in on where i was and what i was doing then. but you are right, i have been riding bikes since diapers.
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 01:09am
#22
Does this mean that you are going to tell us how old you are? Awesome! We've all been wondering. You are like an enigma wrapped in a conundrum wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a Doug D. wearing a t-shirt with himself on it.
So. How old are you, Doug?
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 01:09am
#23
Doug, I can see into the future. And in it you are a bitter, lonely old man.
Do you need a hug?
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 02:09am
#24
i forgot to also tell all the people of polo forum how proud of johnny, brendan and chris i am for their showing in chicago.
ken you still suck
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 02:09am
#25
Best tournament so far (for other reasons too). I was not expecting us to do that well.
And dude: we may disagree about shit a lot, but I gotta say - we get the privilege of playing with/against and watching the best players in the poloverse. I am learning a ton from playing with you and paul especially. I think Chris would probably say the same thing. Brendan doesn't need to learn much, he's already a badass.
So anyhow, thanks Doug. See you at the pit.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 07:09am
#26
OK Seattle and anyone else: Prepare a bid and submit it to the committee. Include what kind of facilities you've got access to (court(s), parks, bathrooms, afterparty spaces, etc), what sort of relationship you have with the city (will this be sanctioned, insured, and expensive?), how many players your polo scene can house withing biking distance to said courts, and a brief description of the biggest party you've ever thrown and the number of human-hours it took to organize (round up to the nearest hundred).
On the committee: Anyone who has put on a tournament and can judge the preparedness of another city. Clearly Ben and Crew from the Chicago NACCC. Jonny, Jake, and Myself have all hosted multiple court Mid-Wests. Ken and whoever else in NYC have organized a goddamn circus. Brian in Ottawa puts on the NSPIs and did the WCMC in Toronto. Who does/did the East Sides and the Triple Crown in the Pacific Northwest?
Kevin, can we get a semi-private space on here where cities can post bids and the committee can discuss it without too much off-topic smack-talking?
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 10:09am
#27
What if each city got together to put forward one or two representatives to give them a voice? This newly formed "Jedi Council" could be the beginnings of some sort of sanctioning body. Kind of like the IFBA when it comes to granting CMWC and what not.
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 08:09am
#30
Piet did tons of last-minute organizing in Toronto. I second the Ken nomination, he has lots of experience with big events large and small. And Brian (Ottowa) and Ben (Chicago), I second them too. Maybe we can get Navid to throw the party.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 08:09am
#31
I agree with Johnny in that do we really need 2 "huge" tournaments? I vote for 1 big tournament. If there is 2, personally, I would choose between 1 of those 2 which is kinda shitty.
Making a separate polo tournament independent of any messenger event would be ideal in my eyes. Why make someone choose between polo and racing? I don't like that, cause what if there is a really good polo player that chose to race at the NACCC, and we didn't get to see them play.
Will this really be a "world" tournament, with participation throughout the world? If so that would be awesome, but what if it gets moved to another continent next year? Are people willing or able to travel to said continent just to play polo? I don't know...I'm just laying out some questions here.
I loved the NACCC polo tournament this year, especially the fact that it was completely separate from all the other NACCC events.
All that said, I think a completely separate North American Bicycle Polo Championship would be in order.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 11:09am
#32
Sweet! I'm on the Jedi Council! These are not the balls you're looking for. Move along.
Mark, I think people *will* travel from far away for a world bike polo tournament. It's a stretch, of course, but we're getting to that point where everyone's throwing huge, multifaceted, multiday events JUST FOR POLO. And if we agree to hold a BPWC sometime, somewhere, then whoever does it is definitely going to do it right.
Let me be the first to say that I'll go to Basel for the BPWC 2010. I'm buying my tickets right now. Priceline.com
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 11:09am
#33
I think it is a bit much to call it a world championship until the folks from europe approach us about something i think we are better off calling it the North Americans Championships. Also, if we did want a european contingent then playing it on the east coast would be better. Also, the european teams are still playing a different style then us, with the heavy balls and shit like that.
Couple of points as well, i think that we would have to limit the amount of teams we let in. I think that most cities have limited courts and chicago was pushing it with 2 courts and 35 teams.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 12:09pm
#34
Very good points. We should try to loop in some of those Europeans somehow. Does anyone speak Europeanese?
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 12:09pm
#36
only the UK uses the heavy balls, and they may be converting to the Franklins.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 12:09pm
#37
that isn't true, at the EMCC they used heavier balls. I think that paris and maybe berlin are the only cities that use franklin balls.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 03:09pm
#38
most places in germany use the lighter balls. so does switzerland apparently. but not franklin, the crappy orange ones mostly.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 07:09pm
#39
but are their balls COLD?
that is the question
Braley and I will take it upon ourselves to inspect the balls of the Brick Laners in London
I will personally inspect the balls of the Parisians...
anyone else?
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 11:09am
#40
I would LIKE to travel anywhere to play polo.....it's really a matter of if I can travel. It is a long time away, so we shall see when it gets sorted out.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 12:09pm
#41
Obviously the biggest contingent of players is still in the USA, but Europe has a growing scene, with the swiss, germans, french and of course the brits.
So on the basis of that the East Coast seems more doable. I also think that you'll want media exposure to finance the cost of that, and for media exposure it has to be NYC. More magazines and news outlets there than anywhere else, and a photogenic setting for sponsors, TV etc.. Imagine a custom-build court on a riverside lot in Green Point or Wburg!
Flights to NYC are relatively cheap and the cost of living there is affordable for Europeans.
So I vote for NYC if you want it to be more "worldwide" than the Baseball "World Series".
Yorgo
LONDON: http://bricklanebikepolo.wordpress.com/
PARIS: http://panambikepolo.blogspot.com/
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 01:09pm
#42
I vote Seattle.
Bicycle/cykel/自行車/das Fahrrad/polkupyörä/bicicletta/bicicleta/reiðhjól/fiets/يَرْكَبُ درّاجة هوائ
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 01:09pm
#43
Polo in the woods. Polo camp. I'm half serious. Maybe all converge on tennis courts at a provincial park in the Yukon for the Worlds and camp out.
I would fly to Europe, but probably not Australia, for the polo worlds. We need to standardize our rules/equipment a little more first though, I think.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 01:09pm
#44
i think the main problem with NYC is the amount of courts they have. The Pit is obviously great but it is not fun to ride all around nyc on a polo bike, maybe once or twice is fine, but a centrally located set of courts would be nice, but separated courts would kind of suck.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 02:09pm
#45
agreed. I'm still not sure *what* we'd do if we were to hold a big big tournament here. There are options...but they're not ideal. We'd figure something out though.
My vote is still for seattle.
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 03:09pm
#46
my two bits that dont really probally count since just rookies down here in the south but my vote is in the camp for SEATTLE for the first one seeing as it was the birth and whats not.
plus all those euros and non americans get like payed vacations and what not they can fly to nyc and caravan with others from the east to seattle. playing pick up games along the way in truck stops and random cities. spreading bike polo. ha.
doesnt ny have that thing called a subway to get around? seems like it wouldnt be all that hard to get around to other courts maybe? also seems like bringing two rear wheels or flip flop hubs for big tournaments would be ideal to get around after during before the tournaments.
nothing like the worlds but florida is putting together the florida bike polo championships sometime in october/november in tallahasse. everyone down here is trying to prepare ourselves as best we can for the norths invasion in feb.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 02:09pm
#47
Seattle or portland or east vancover west coast will host the next bpwc
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 03:09pm
#48
I heard Portland was a bunch of free thinking hippies who couldn't organise their way out of a wet paper bag.
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 03:09pm
#50
If it's on the West coast then it'll be as worldwide as Nascar or Baseball.. I can't see more than a couple of team from europe making the trip all the way to there..
Or we could do an alternative world championship in deepest Switzerland, with balls made out of lead and we'll all speak German.
Yorgo
LONDON: http://bricklanebikepolo.wordpress.com/
PARIS: http://panambikepolo.blogspot.com/
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 04:09pm
#51
Seattle would be awesome. It's got the legacy, and it's pleasantly bikeable. Although most of the polo there takes place on top of a giant fucking hill...
Also, I think it should definitely be a World Championship, cause we're basically already throwing North American polo championships in everything but name.
If we do East Coast, then the Australians are fucked. If we do West Coast, then the Europeans are fucked. Somebody's just going to have to suck it up.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 04:09pm
#52
I'd be willing to show at either,
as for the europeans, once you fly all the way to the US, what difference is a couple more hours on a flight?
but I like Seattle
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 05:09pm
#53
yes, and the 'world championships' and naccc's were eastern events this year, it's time for all of you easterners to suck it up and travel west for once. the worlds will always be in only one place at one time and we'll have to get used to that. seattle has been holding polo tournaments for eight years now and has the courts and know-how to throw a big tournament.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 01:09pm
#54
chicago is in the heart of the midwest..i thought canadians were good at geography?
no dice nyc...MKE!
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 02:09pm
#55
everything east of the rockies is east to west coasters. i think chicago does not count as the 'west' to east coasters, seeing as in how it is only one-third 'west' across the country. given that the attendance in chicago was largely eastern, and that chicago is culturally more a part of the 'east' than the 'west', i'm going to go out on a limb and call the naccc's an 'eastern' event for the purposes of snagging a 'western' tournament next year. at least i didn't call it 'mid-eastern'.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 05:09pm
#59
As part of the supreme council, I'd like to see the other options Seattle has for a world-class court. We can give you dimensions and building specs of the pit, if you'd like.
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 05:09pm
#60
I'm trying to push for the Franklin balls here in London, thanks to Kev for leaving a couple behind. So far it's slowly starting to take hold over the heavy field hockey balls. The southies seem to be the last stronghold.
As for going to the states for a tourney? The 'World's'... I can think of MAYBE a handful of players willing to make it to the states from London. We just had teams from France and Germany come over the channel for our one day event recently, so I could see some of the continentals going a little further over to the states as well.
East coast v. West coast? If you book well in advance and shop around you can get cheap-ish flights for either. But with the current focus* of bike polo being on NYC, it's my opinion they should host the first world's if they wanted to.
I think the real question is whether or not the North Americans would come over if a European city won a bid to host the Worlds. If the CMWC's in Dublin last year was anything to go by, I'm not so sure...
Saying that though, London has no hope of hosting unless we could secure funding to build decent courts. All of ours are either too small, too rough or just shaped weird.
*being the internet...
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 06:09pm
#61
Using Dublin as an example is a non starter for me. That was a bike messenger event. What we are talking about here is a bike polo event. Maybe bike messengers were some of the first to start playing polo but if you took a poll of the players at the NACCC tournament I'm sure at least half were not or are not messengers. Polo is so much bigger than bike messengers now it's not even funny.
Also I don't see how the "focus" of bike polo is on NYC. It's simply one city among many to play polo. Yes they have one team that has dominated the game for the past year or so, but they are not the be all and end all.
Maybe one of the criteria for holding a world championships should be that your city needs to have been playing for 5 (totally random number) years?
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 05:09pm
#62
how is the focus on NYC? please, i really don't know. three of the strongest arguments for seattle:
1) it is the birthplace of hardcourt bike polo
2) the east has already had two major tourneys and now it is the west's turn
3) folks in seattle (though you wouldn't know it to see the lack of responses by seattlites here) have the knowhow to throwdown a sick event.
if seattle wants to do this they have help from folks in east van. i know of a lot of us who would be willing to help organize beforehand and day-of. give us a shout. let's make this happen. let's get sponsors on board. let's decide sooner rather than later so that everyone knows what's coming. my vote is for summer 2009. let's hear it seattle (i'm willing to help).
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 06:09pm
#63
This past tourny was the North American Cycle Courier Championships Bike Polo Championships. Maybe for 2009 lets limit ourselves to something such as a North American Bike Polo Championships.
seems to me that a true "Bike Polo World Championships" is a year or more off.
It will happen. I'd like to see it be what it says it is, not a hurried version.
I just think by next summer a true, and stand alone North American Bike Polo Championships will be the most accurate way to describe/title this continents biggest event.
does any one agree?
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 09:09pm
#64
yeah, i think it would be a bit of a presumption to claim the world title, seeing that the european contingent would not really show up in force. I think that we have a really strong community of North American Teams and that we should focus on that. We know we could host a North American Championships and call it such. I think Worlds is a bit much.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 10:09pm
#65
i agree. i vote for Seattle. can they guarantee no rain? or covered courts?
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 01:09am
#67
I would be excited about a BPWC, but I agree with Doug. Let's wait another year and make it really big and truly a worldwide championship, not just a N. American tournament with a world champ title. By that time more N. Americans will have been to Australia and Europe (and Santiago!) and those folks will have come over here too.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 08:09am
#68
YES...Look at what I posted ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^.
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 06:09pm
#69
Well said Doug
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 07:09pm
#70
you mean to tell me that none of you want to fly to tokyo only to find out that the organizers of the cmwc fucked over bike polo again?
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 09:09pm
#71
First off fuck the media. They will go anywhere we ask to cover this and it is a much better story for them to have this in the birth place of hardcourt bike polo. Second if any city is hosting this they are not alone. We all need to help in order to run a tournament of the size and scope of what we are talking about here. As far as Europe goes, they have some growing to do. They really need to be coming to North America for a while to see what's what. Sorry guys but it won't work over there, and the best teams are all ready here. Seattle is my first choice with or with out lots of Euro teams coming. Travel never stops the messengers from making it to west coast events so why would this. Most of us have traveled every month this year so you can't cry about the cost. Ask to see Pieter or Dougs travel bills for this year alone. Besides there are really Helsinki and Basel that might do ok.
I talked to many people about Seattle before and after the NACCC about it and it is the poular vote. Really all that is needed is for them to say yes. As far as there capability? Think about it. There tournaments are so well done we here on the east can learn a few things. I say please Seattle do this!
I also agree with Doug that we are still a good two years away from anything being very official. But having these self proclaimed titles does help sell this game. Sponsors love titles.
Ps I am going to Tokyo for the CMWC
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 09:09pm
#72
A little less smack talking please. The WCMC and NACCC were natural allies for bike polo at the time. It worked out really well in Chicago, not so well in Toronto. Chicago was in on the planning from the beginning as it was only a one-year process. I think the Worlds are picked three years out, so there were already egos and agendas in play when polo was suggested.
That said: I agree that we're ready for our own North American Championship Tourney. I'll go ahead and put myself on the Jedi Counsel and support Seattle's bid as soon as I hear from people there who tell me how they plan to pull off a multi-court, multi-day shindig.
I agree with Doug that a true world contest is year(s) off. The hardest thing about organizing stuff on that scale would be that it is necessarily exclusive. It would pretty much have to be "A" teams only from each city or region in order to be do-able. Which would reduce spectatorship and casual play. I ain't flying to Brussels to not play polo. Or to DFL.
Actually, the best suggestion I've heard so far is to find some campsite or state park or small town and just take it over. There will be less fees, less interference, and if it's done right, many, many courts to play on into the night.
I'm sure there's a roller hockey camp somewhere on the continent. Multiple rinks and cabins? I'm sold.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 01:09am
#73
That's what I'm talkin' about! Polo camp. You want to get in on this, Lucky? I think it might take a year or two, but having a tourney in the woods is, like, my polo fantasy.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 07:09am
#74
How about Tofino, BC on Vancouver Island? White sandy beaches, Giant Red Cedar trees 200ft tall. Rain forest and the pacific rim campground can handle 500 campsites. There is the concreate the town is only 1500 and you can surf between games.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 03:09pm
#76
but don't we actually want lots of exposure and [positive] interference? this is where the pit in new york and the grandview court in east van really shine-- courts right in the middle of everything with established usage rights and tonnes of random traffic. courts in the middle of nowhere get zero public interest. we could fill bleachers in east van no problem, and eyeballs are what we are looking for.
do not worry, seattle has been pulling off multi-court, multi-day shin digs with panache for longer than anyone else-- the rest of us can learn a lot from them just as they have taken from the other tournaments this year. and they are not alone; east van and portland will be able to assist in gathering sponsors, prizes, and transportation logistics. seattle has many court options and an established reputation in the community.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 05:09pm
#77
It doesn't have to be in the middle of a large city to get exposure. It's more of an interesting story if we are bussing in 200 or so polo players to some remote location. Polo camp...
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 10:09am
#78
Have you ever read "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test"? Cause there's this part in there where the Hell's Angels invade this tiny town for a beer-fueled weekend of debuachery and destruction. Just add polo.
Jesse
Collar City Bike Polo
Troy, NY
Thu Sep 4, 2008, 09:09pm
#79
I think it would be great if Seattle actually said something in this discussion. The courts they had for the last tournament they hosted looked skeptical. I think that Tennis courts are okay but i think we need courts that are a bit longer.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 12:09am
#80
I will step up and say I would love to help host a tournament in Seattle. I don't really have the time to post all the details about it know but I have been researching for a while the best way to host a big tournament in Seattle and I think with the help of everyone here we could be up for the task. I will try to post more later but I live a very hectic life and I want to go play polo now. I don't Think we have to make a decision right this moment and I plan on going to interbike in Vegas and then Los Marcos in NYC where hopefully a lot of the main players will be there and we can talk in grater depth on how we could pull this off. As for weather or not we are up to the task ask anyone who has come to our tournaments and if anyone tells you no then I am open to other suggestions.
Leon
Seattle Bike Polo
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 12:09am
#81
I don't think Los Marcos Madness is going to be the place to discuss. Open forums were scheduled for NSPI and NACCC but never happened because the actual events were in full swing. All of the main players are here right now. This right here is the time to discuss Seattle.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 01:09am
#82
I agree with Angelo. This is the open forum. Anyone else from Seattle interested in this? So far it's just lots of people who AREN'T from Seattle and Leon saying that Seattle's a good idea.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 04:09am
#83
While we talk about this I want people to realize that not everyone who plays polo is on this forum I had about 20 kids out tonight who said they are very interested in holding the world bike polo tournament I don't know maybe some of you have even played with them. Irving and Messman are on board they are some of the original urban polo players and they are excited about the idea of hosting the tournament.
But hey I don't want to be greedy if there is a better place or time for the tournament I am open to discussion. Also I think a committee could definitely make a proper intelligent decision but I think it should not only be with people who ran the tournaments but with everyone who has gone to say more the 5 tournaments in the last year. They should be involved as well because in my mind anyone who has traveled for tournaments is just as invested in this as the rest of us.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 07:09am
#84
Leon, I know a grip of Chicagoans who went to the CMWC X in Seattle and came back with great opinions of what the bike scene can accomplish there given time and interest. Those reports are what make me support a Seattle bid to host a stand-alone 2009 BPChampionship Event.
That said, it really does take a year to plan one of these well. The slowest part of the process is the relationship with the city. For the NACCC, we had the co-operation of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation (thanks, folks), who loaned us their non-profit status to reduce park district and insurance fees, and a little of their clout with the relevant city departments whose permission we needed.
Report to The Jedi Council (a group of tournament organizers listed under "clubs" here) with details of your bid and questions about putting on such a huge thing. Having multiple, equally equipped courts close together is going to be the challenge. Party spaces and sponsorships are relatively easy.
JohnnyMidwest, Brian; Polo camp would also be an awesome vacation for me. Vancouver Island would be great, so would anywhere with courts within an hour or twos drive from a cheap to fly into airport. There are a lot of "Sports Complexes" that you can rent out who host camps or events outside of cities all over. But I think that four tennis courts at a private campsite would be best. Fall 2010?
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 07:09am
#85
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 08:09am
#86
Grass polo? This is hardcourt polo we are talking about here. When was the last grass polo worlds done? 2004? Is grass polo growing like the hardcourt game is? In fact anyone I know that played on grass has been converted.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 08:09am
#87
This doesn't change the fact that they are organized, and have rights to certain names. There has to be a clear distinction with our name. And we need to set up an official organization so that we can run the tournaments ourselves, and no one else can take over.
Montana and I were talking last night, and he was going to talk it over with some of the people at Interbike. But like Angelo said up there...most of the people hang out in this forum, so this is also another viable place to discuss said issues.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 08:09am
#88
heh, ok. Whatever mate.
This idea of hitting a ball around on a bike has been around for a lot longer than 5 years. It has been played all around the world, probably longer than it's been in North America. You lot can't even get a standard down, it's played differently from city to city and now you want to host a 'world championship'.
Utter bullshit. It's not time to get that serious about it yet. Give it a couple years and until then keep on having your NABPC or whatever it's called. Let's develop these standards, keep in touch with the worldwide community (again, I have to thank Kev for this forum to do just that...) and let the game grow.
Or you can just keep thinking the world is from Oregon to Maine.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 08:09am
#89
who are you referring to?
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 10:09am
#90
We've got a troll on this forum? Wow. That happened quick.
Relax buddy. I'm pretty sure it's been mentioned that if the rest of the world isn't well represented, then it isn't a world championship. If next year's huge tournament is mostly north americans, then it's a north american championship. I'm an American, and I claim that we came up with this idea first.
I wholeheartedly disagree with you about this not being the time to get serious about it. It's been growing quickly for years already. A large North American or World championship IS going to happen next year. It is. You can come if you want to, but remember that one of the rules that america invented is "don't be a dick".
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 09:09am
#91
The 'whatever' was to the canuck. Everything else, to everybody else I guess.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 07:09pm
#92
respect mate, that canuck is the new north american champion! who's number one? brian is.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 09:09am
#93
It's pretty obvious that you can't have a WORLD BPC while talking crap (right or wrong) about the teams that aren't American and while only focusing on North America.
I think the only sense here is you fantastically skilled champions of hardcourt have your North American tournament (and name it as such), And the non-american unskilled minions will keep having European ones and we'll all work together towards having a Worlds in 2010 or 2011.
The other choice is Amerikkka can do what it does so well and claim the "World" title and look like assholes to everyone not in Amerikkka.
I vote for Iceland 2011* myself. And have it run by a selection of people from all different countries.
As for the "birthplace of polo" you sound like egotistical twats. Even if that's true, why bother to claim such ridiculous titles?! Maybe perhaps you managed to get the game popular with all of us hipsters (well done Mate), but your not in a bubble, and the game was invented decades before you were born.
Come on now boys, World means World, North America means just that one continent.
Plus, as an American the more often we can get Americans out of America the better. Sport is a great way to do this. This conversation is just one more reason for the rest of the world to shit-talk about how amerikka-centric americans are. But being Amerikkkans maybe you don't care?
*before you take me all sorts of seriously, yes, Iceland is slightly impractical. duh.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 07:09pm
#94
...or you can come and win our tournaments and let your mallets do the talking. it is what we fully intend to do in europe.
we like to give seattle its props because they gave us this wonderful thing called bike polo over eight years ago. there nothing egotistical in that, giving the people who paved the way for us our respect, is there? the game without a doubt came from there, i don't really see what the fuss is about.
in the meantime i fail to see why we can't get together on a time and place for a world championship next year. what will waiting a year do for europeans that want to come to north america for such an event or vice versa? how much more notice does one need? what keeps a world championship from happening next year that won't keep it from happening the year after? they begin to sound like no reasons or the same reasons.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 12:09pm
#95
"It's pretty obvious that you can't have a WORLD BPC while talking crap (right or wrong) about the teams that aren't American and while only focusing on North America."
Roxy I think what is missing here is that the focus is on the development of hardcourt bike polo. The game that is hardcourt bike polo is what is played here in North America and the rest of the world needs to get caught up. When I say this I am not trying to diss I'm just saying that from equipment to gear ratios the rest of the world is not as developed as here. Many of us have dedicated a great amount of our lives to the growth of this sport. We travel and have lots of tournaments. Doug D. has been to ten this year. Pieter has been on the podium at every major tournament he has attended this year and travels further than anyone. You will meet him in Zurich if you go. Ben Shultz just ran the biggest tournament ever. I here your very good at organizing events yourself. Please get involved with this one. Most of the people posting here are the main organizers from there perspective areas. They are the governing body. They are the ones that have been running it all along. Respect that. When collectivley deciding to ask Seattle to do the first one, pays tribute to those orginals that are still playing this game 8 years later. It also creates the best possible polo matches, as I am sure the best polo clubs will attend in large numbers. Perhaps draw some South Americans. Possibly the Aussies too. Europe better show. Regardless of where it is. At the CMWC in Toronto I played a lot of games with Graham and Brian from Dublin and the Finns, who are the best out your way. It would go along way for them to get to play with so many teams from North America. I hope they come.
This is not about nationality this is about furthering the sport we love. Keep the politics out of it.
Bashing America is easy to do, but not very intelligent conversation. And does nothing to further the argument for having the tournament somewhere else. Having world and national titles is a natural part of any sports evolution.
There is a need to lay ownership of the title of "The World Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships" (which was done this year at the CMWC in Toronto)as well as respective national titles. (Which was done at the NACCC.) It lays precidents for issues that are beyond the scope of this dialog. This tournament will be done in 2009 in North America and most likley will be in Seattle. Protest if you wish but from the reading thus far the majority vote is Seattle anyway.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 07:09pm
#96
we did btw just have the LARGEST EVER POLO TOURNAMENT here in chicago.
now wait. where was that? was it somewhere in Europe or . . . ASIA?
nope. NORTH AMERICA.
so . . . we pulled 36 teams for just TWO countries... for one tournament
until Europe hosts one of a similar size, i think Worlds belongs on this side of the ocean. at least for next year.
btw, what about having 2010 in Cape Town?
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 09:09pm
#97
So we can all go to World Cup matches when we're not hitting a ball around? I like it!
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 01:09am
#98
lonodon just had a tournament with 31 teams a few weeks ago. at least 20 of them were from london, and at least 25 were from England. London might have the biggest active polo scene.
Thu Sep 25, 2008, 06:09pm
#99
america bashing can be intelligent conversation.
Thu Sep 25, 2008, 07:09pm
#100
Really please explain. I would love to see something intelligent come out of it. As an American who has lived outside of the USA for over twenty years now, I have yet to hear anyone have something original or intelligent to say when bashing the US.
You better think before you respond Matt, I have been having this argument for twenty years. If you actually have something smart to say we can start a new thread for political bullshit. However shit talk coming from someone in England is pathetic considering the cuurent state of GB.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 10:09am
#101
OK. We are referring here to HARDCOURT BIKE POLO. It WAS STARTED in Seattle. Like it or not. As has been covered previously, yes grass polo came first. And it was played first in parts other than the United States (I think that's what you mean when you reference Amerikkka). That has nothing to do with this discussion.
Also, I'm no fan of US foreign policy and all that, but referring to it as Amerikkka makes YOU sound like an egotistical twat.
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Thu Sep 25, 2008, 06:09pm
#102
"Also, I'm no fan of US foreign policy and all that, but referring to it as Amerikkka makes YOU sound like an egotistical twat."
Or Ice Cube ...
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 10:09am
#103
Why MUST the first world championships be held in Europe??? If we were to start it on a rotating basis then why not the BIRTHPLACE OF HARDCOURT BIKE POLO first... and then moving it across the pond?
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 10:09am
#104
Nobody is actually saying that.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 01:09pm
#105
Sounds like they are saying that a world championship cannot be held in the USA. Maybe I misinterpreted their meanings but that's the impression I got.
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 01:09pm
#106
kevin's grandfather played polo on the streets in ireland years before any of us were born.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 10:09am
#107
I vote for NYC - no provincial towns, thank you very much.
then...
- find concrete lot on the Hudson, with Manhattan in the background
- find sponsor (easy - trust me)
- find event-organizing company, pay them with money from sponsor
- build wooden walls, spectator area
- get proper film production company to film matches, with multiple cameras, travelling cameras on cables overhead, proper floodlights to capture the action, 300 images per second to do slomo of crashes. For filming people need uniforms or at least colors, for it to be clear who's playing who.
- invite everyone well in advance, even the retarded and unskilled Euros, so that people can find sponsorship to fly over
- get the media involved, yes you need them.
- get some basic rules and standard together, but I don't think it needs to be extremely regimented and draconian, that's the nice thing about bike polo. So no standar of bikes, mallet. Just a ball standard, and some play rules.
- Have the Los Marcos perform a live nude show between games
- have a tall bike polo demonstration game
Yorgo
LONDON: http://bricklanebikepolo.wordpress.com/
PARIS: http://panambikepolo.blogspot.com/
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 10:09am
#108
i think there's pretty damn near consensus on standards/rules in North America right now. All that's left is to hammer out some little details.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 10:09am
#110
I vote Seattle. West Coast. It's time we all went out there.
chicagobikepolo.com
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 10:09am
#111
There's obviously momentum for a large tournament in Seattle (even tho Seattle is pretty silent on the this thread).
It seems like the remaining question is whether that tournament should be a World or a North American championships. I've always thought that the titles were kinda problematic, at least until we know that all the best teams in said region are known to be represented. For example, Basel claims to be "World Bike Polo Champions" for winning in Dublin at CMWC 2007 against what, six teams? Same kinda goes for CMWC this year. If there are only two or three teams for Europe in Seattle, can that really be called a Worlds?
On separate note, i can tell you that the talent in Europe is huge, some of them are newer to the sport but by 2009 there will be some N.A. ass-kicking going on.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 11:09am
#112
Basel did not win the polo tournament in Dublin at CMWC. Me, Adam Staudt, and Allen from Ottawa won.
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 11:09am
#113
which just goes to show how far this sport has come in one short year. From almost an afterthought to such a major side-event, that we realized we can't host it at a CMWC anymore.
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 11:09am
#114
I'm not hearing much support for holding a world championship of bike polo next year. Sounds like most everyone's in agreement that it should be a N. American championship in N. America and Euro/Ozzie championships as they see fit. Anyone against holding off for a year or more on a true world championship?
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 11:09am
#115
does it really matter where it was invented?
I like NYC but i would prefer london because i am a londoner and i could ride to the tournament. peace b.a.d. polo.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 12:09pm
#116
Londoners: Relax. I don't think anyone wants to hold a world championship event without a broad representation of the polo diaspora (if you will). We are all (with a few exceptions) pretty sane and reasonable people and I don't think we will go all World Series on you.
Also, I don't think our sport in its current iteration has much to do with the old grass polo. Even the folks here (like the midwesterners) who played on grass until recently seem to have played a much different game than the official grass polo game.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 12:09pm
#117
My feeling is that if there's enough international commitment to travel to a world championship, then it's a world championship. If we can't get that committment, we'll keep in in North America, and call it a North American Championship. We're organizing SOMETHING. Whether it's a World's or not remains to be seen. No sense in holding off on anything.
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 12:09pm
#118
I'd also like to say that it is fucked up to belittle the NACCC polo tournament and the Chicago people that set it up by saying...
"keep on having your NABPC or whatever it's called"
That was the biggest, best, and most skilled tournament held so far.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 12:09pm
#119
it is so funny reading all of this-- it's as if everyone thinks these are the first big events or tournaments that anyone has ever run, that europeans won't come to the u-s or vice versa, that bike polo isn't ready for a world championship yet, that you're all just a bunch of drunks on track bikes you just won, that new york is the centre of the polo universe but holding a world championship in america just shows how fucked the world really is.
build it and they will come. call it the 'north americans' and only north americans will come. call it 'the worlds' and the euros *will* come. already there were several teams from europe at the cmwc's, that number will only increase. bike polo is ready for a world championship, what will the wait accomplish? we've already had a very successful north american championship, it's time for the next step. bike polo tournaments, even major ones, do not take a year to get off the ground. six months, some prior knowledge, and a good relationship with sponsors are all that is needed.
we have tonnes of experience running large events now, with big player databases, great venues, community support, and player enthusiasm . i am not worried about the running of the next big tourney, or what we call it-- but it does matter where we hold it. if it is held in north america we can guarantee massive american and canadian turn-out, with some european teams showing. if we hold it in europe we can guarantee large european presence and little north american attendance. given that the game is more developed, the teams more numerous, the standards more standardised (at least we all use the same ball), and the history longer here in north america, doesn't it make sense that we hold it here? i personally would like to see some european teams actually show up in north america and compete before we hold a major world-class tournament over there. menace and i will scout things out in zurich this fall, see what's what and report back.
plus, i think we should all get off of this 'america' thing before the insecure canadians feel the need to go over the results from the last tourney. very little in bike polo has to do exclusively with the united states, this is very much a continental entity. trash talk america and you have to deal us baby. don't worry ben, doug, menace... canadia's got yer back.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 01:09pm
#120
As a contingency plan I'm always ready to trade my US passport for a German one at a moment's notice... I'm also entertaining the idea of accepting the SBV (Schweizerischer Bikepolo Verband) offer of citizenship so I can play on the Swiss national team... Never mind the fact that the SBV doesn't exist yet... ha!
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 01:09pm
#121
I agree with all of the above. The only thing is that Seattle is a bit out of the way. I'm sure euros will come to NYC, but seattle is just a tad far
Yorgo
LONDON: http://bricklanebikepolo.wordpress.com/
PARIS: http://panambikepolo.blogspot.com/
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 02:09pm
#122
it's 4000 miles from berlin to new york, and 5000 miles to seattle. 20% farther. plus seattle is closer to the party in east van, whereas new york is still 2400 miles away from said party.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 04:09pm
#124
dude, seattle is not exactly a non-major destination. i don't know where this 'new-york-is-the-centre-of-the-universe-only-fly-there-business' came from. i have flown over 27,000 km this year for polo tournaments, and will tack on another 20,000 before the year is through, none of which was easy or exactly cheap. ticket prices to seattle from london are currently $685 vs $525 to new york on british airways, round-trip. if people are interested in playing the best polo, they will come. if they can't stomach an extra $80 one-way they won't. no one complains when the cmwc's are held in tokyo, but when a polo tournament is held in the country with the highest concentration of players, everyone goes wild.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 01:09pm
#125
I'd also rather do Seattle because I'm taking three months off next summer to ride across the country. So I'm not gonna be around to coordinate *anything* in New York. That being said, I'll echo Pieter's comments: This shit ain't hard, really. A nutless monkey could organize a polo tournament. Perhaps that's an exaggeration. Nutless monkeys though. Heh.
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 02:09pm
#126
FUCK THIS SHIT! I'm changing my vote. RICHMOND 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 03:09pm
#128
I like the sound of that The worlds first Gaysport polo tournament.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 03:09pm
#129
Leon Drew Swerve Dead Baby Peter Mess Man Sworen holy shit Seattle take the date and do it you have years of polonis to throw a world torney so do it Seattle for pres.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 03:09pm
#130
Thanks Drew i'm glad to here some more support from the west.
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 03:09pm
#131
BUENO HAS TALK TO JEDI COUNCIL AND IT OK, THEY SAY THEY KONFIRM FIRST EVER INTORNASHUNAL FOR LOS MARCOSTAN 2009. WE ALMOST DONE WITH TUNNEL TO CHICAGO, SO ONCE WE FINISH WINNING NACCCCKX, YOU COME FOLOW US TO LOS MARCOSTAN. IS SHRT TRIP FROM ALMOST EVREYWHARE, BUT YOU COME OUT INSIDE VOLCANO. WE STILL WORKING ON THAT PART. ANY NONMARCOSIAN ALWAY GET BURN TO DEATH GETTING OUT OF AR TUNNAL. SO, AFTER THAT, WE TRORW REALLY GOOD POLO TOURNAMENT. ALL WATER IN LOS MARCOSTAN 80 RPOOF! ¡CHEAP! BIKE POLO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 LOS MARCOSTAN!
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 08:09pm
#133
There are no inside voices in Los Marcostan.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Fri Sep 5, 2008, 10:09pm
#136
No. This is not a popular-opinion type of thang. Sometime next summer, there needs to be another huge bike polo tournament cos they are awesome and we all want to know who's the best. We've decided that bike polo is big enough to un-couple from the NACCCs, so we need to set a time and place for our contest.
Cities interested in hosting such a thing submit a bid to a committee (this is how the locations for the Worlds and the NACCCs are determined). They need to prove to the committee that they have a stable scene from which to pull organizers and volunteers who can meet our needs i.e. multiple courts, food, toilets, beer, and that they are not just swept up in the idea of 'how cool would it be to have this in our back yard'.
I tried to start a group within the site of people who have hosted tourneys before to judge the bids and who y'all can ask advice of for planning this and other events. Anything from seeking non-profit status to how many nails it takes to build boards around a tennis court. But something crazy happened and I don't feel like reading through all the flak just right now.
If you want a poll, make one. You can start topics as well as anyone else. If it's not going to be in Seattle or New York, Chicago would like to make a huge contest an annual event. Johnny, Brian, and I are going to go to Vancouver Island to play polo, camp, and surf. 49 new posts in this topic since I left for work....mumble grumble...what do you people do all day?
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 08:09am
#137
Lucky, Brian, anyone else interested: I am serious about polo camp. Want to start planning something for a couple years down the road? When I get a little more time today I'm going to start a thread for it. I've already got some ideas about what kind of location would be ideal.
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 09:09am
#138
Oh, I'm down like a clown. I was checking out private sports camps within 100 miles of major airline hubs (cheap flights) online yesterday. My excuse? Headcold. Had to stay indoors. Is polo on the brain a disease?
The place should have courts, campsites, maybe cabins, and a freaking pool. All I wanted to do Sunday evening was jump in the lake. Start that thread. I have reports.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Tue Sep 9, 2008, 01:09am
#139
The thread is here: http://bikepolo.ca/forum/tournaments/2008/09/09/polo-camp
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 08:09am
#140
Having a World's is great! No one is saying otherwise. It just has to be achievable for the "world" to get to. Yes, there will be a few teams from euro-land that will go anywhere in the world to play. But by putting the tournament in Seattle (as great of a place as it is) you will greatly exclude many teams simply because of the cost of flying there. There are no emotions here, it's just the cost of flying.
Yes, polo has been going on as a pop-culture thing for awhile in Seattle, and it's a romantic idea to have the tourney there, but it will make it a North American World Series with a couple of euro-land teams coming.
And while a tournament doesn't take too long to organize, getting big sponsorship from the euroside that might pay for flights, etc does.
Also, if you want to have a "worlds" that is actually a "worlds" then having it in the off-season would make flights substantially cheaper. Say April or September.
No one is debating whether or not there should be a World tournament, that'd be great, but simultaneously claiming that title while excluding the rest of the world from the conversation isn't going to get you very far.
And if you had a North American Championship and we had a European Championship next year and a World's the year after, it would be great build up.
Someone earlier mentioned that each city interested in holding the tournament should pitch for it. That's a pretty great idea. Then everyone could vote.
Oh, and you should all check out Kevin's grandpa talking about playing Bike Polo on concrete in Ireland when he was younger.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 04:09pm
#141
as i posted above, flights are $685 return to seattle from london, $525 return to new york, hardly prohibitive. mid-july 2009 prices on british airways. no one is excluding the world, the world has our full and open invitation to every tournament we hold, including all of the conversations about them. george bernard shaw: "some people look at things that are and say, 'impossible'. others look at things that never were and say, 'why not?'".
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 10:09am
#142
But by putting the tournament in ________ (as great of a place as it is) you will greatly exclude many teams simply because of the cost of flying there.
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 11:09am
#143
do people actually play polo in europe ?
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 12:09pm
#144
ok, lets stop this madness. we're going with yorgo... see platform above.
see you all in nyc next summer. and come to madison soon! it's the birthplace of the lifting back of the left leg while shooting technique. and we have nice courts.
b
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 05:09pm
#145
i'm not from madison and i be lifting that leg long time...
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 12:09pm
#146
I'm still for the idea of a stand alone "North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Championship" in 2009
I still think a true and worldly contested "worlds" is better to have in 2010. More time to grow, plan,and agree.
Worlds SOUNDS like a beautiful thing, but I'll still be playing in 2010 and I would much rather participate in World event that deserves the name.
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 02:09pm
#147
Very well said.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 04:09pm
#148
tell me what will change in a year doug? is polo not big enough yet? are people not willing to travel enough? are the rules not standardised enough? are we not capable of running big events yet? straight questions in search of straight answers.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 02:09pm
#149
i think that there should be a BPWC every year, starting 2009, and rotating between europe and north america for the first few years. I don't see a point in delaying until 2010.
And i don't think it should just rotate between, say, NYC/London, just cause they're easier to get to. if someone is insane enough to travel the world for polo, they can go the extra mile to Seattle/Vancouver/Helsinki/Berlin/Basel etc.
Meanwhile, i've started a new thread about how big these big tournaments should be.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 05:09pm
#150
I still think if it's a world championship next year it will be so only in title. the euros and ozzies still need some time to standardize and we need to make more connections across the oceans - I just get the feeling that we will not have many euros/ozzies showing up yet. It seems to me that most of the clubs in europe (not so sure about australia) are exclusively or mainly couriers, and couriers are going to spend their $ flying to the big courier events over polo events. At the worlds this year, the euro courier teams ended up backing out of the polo to race, though a few came out for pickup games. So we might as well just call it a NABPC next year. I could be wrong though (I hope I am) and we may end up pulling off a massive and diversely attended championship.
This is all semantics, however. I think another important question is: if we DO have a worlds, should we have a NABPC too? There are so many tournaments already, and I want to go to ALL of them, so is two big championships in one summer too much?
Oh, and whatever we call this event, I nominate Ottowa. Amazing hosts, amazing food, not enough courts, but I'm sure it could be worked out. Ottowa's the capital of polo in my world.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 06:09pm
#151
This creates another good argument for Seattle. If it was right before the CMWC, people could leave directly from the west coast to get to Tokyo. That would help save some bucks.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 06:09pm
#152
Pre-event or post-event. I agree. It's a worthy argument.
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 07:09pm
#153
still trying to get my friends over there in tokyo clued in about polo.
maybe next trip
. . . i think if i send along some of the vidoes maybe they'll get into it
but gods.
they're all bout the fashion fixies right now
how oh how to get them into our broke ass polo bike game?
sure would be nice to have a few pick up games at CMWC
cause it aint WORLDS til we got ALL the continents in on the gig.
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 09:09pm
#154
That's asking to take 2 long weekends off work AND the whole week in between those weekends. Not as easy to afford as two separate weekends a month OR TWO, apart.
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 09:09pm
#155
Hi Doug,
Due to the high cost of getting to Tokyo I was planning on taking a few weeks off then anyway. Are you only going for a couple of days?
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 09:09pm
#156
Since I'm from New York, I'm going to use New York as my base city. Substitute whatever city an attendee might be coming from.
Option A is probably cheaper than option B
OPTION A
1) New York to Tokyo
2) Tokyo to Seattle
3) Seattle to New York
OPTION B
1) New York to Tokyo
2) Tokyo to New York
3) New York to Seattle
4) Seattle to New York
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Does not apply at Los Marcos Madness
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 12:09am
#157
Time is Money.
Most of us pay rent each month so maybe not. Three one way flights in one month vs. two round trips split between two different months.
Am I thinking about this wrong??
If I had to chose, I'd go to Tokyo for a real World Championship. But don't get me wrong, I would love to go to Boston or Seattle also, for the NAHBPC.
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/
Sat Sep 6, 2008, 07:09pm
#158
Has anyone told the kids in Boston (who will host the '09 NACCC) about us leaving the house? Just in case they're counting on a polo side-show or full partner.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Tue Sep 9, 2008, 12:09pm
#159
I've had a little bit of back and forth with the dudes putting this on... so the consensus is that it should be a totally separate event, huh?
Tue Sep 9, 2008, 07:09pm
#160
I think that the consensus is that there will be a contest in 2009 that will make every effort to be bigger and better than the recent '08 Chicago NACCC polo tournament. Which will be tough.
This should not preclude y'all from hosting a polo tourney alongside the '09 Boston NACCC.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 07:09am
#161
How about using the N. America Tourney and the Euro-Land Tourney in 2009 to standardize the game? The organisers of each could plan them together and try to set up identical courts, play to the same rules, use the same balls, etc.. Currently the game in Euro-land and the game in the Americas is still pretty different.
We don't have the wide open spaces you guys have and we play on really small courts by comparison. Our games are more intimate more contact, and you guys have the break-aways that you get with a long court.
The tournament here in August was the biggest court London and Berlin had played on and I think France as well, but it still wasn't as long as the ones in Madison and it's not a court we can have regular access to.
Any team who wanted to would be encouraged to play in either tournament or both. This gives us all at least one really big tournament to look forward to, and those who can afford it get two to go to!!
Surely this is a win-win.
Oh and those flights above are great, but those are if you book now, 9 months or so in advance. Flights for xmas currently are around $900-2000 and that's with 3 months warning (xmas and may-july are usually the same price). That said, I'm also currently looking at being in NYC next month and being the off-season, flights are $600-$1800, dependent on staying over for a Saturday. Just FYI.
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 09:09am
#162
The Madison courts are the longest courts i have played on. Most courts are about half the size.
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 06:09pm
#163
yes, i keep forgetting that we should be holding this tournament at christmas, the most expensive time of the year to travel. i find $333 return london - ny for los marcos in october on northwest, $533 for two weeks over christmas. kayak.com
i think that some of us are interested in holding a large world-class tournament in seattle to introduce north american (and european) polo to the pacific north-west where, in my opinion, the best polo in north america is being played. there, i said it. yes, seattle and portland still have the best polo players that i've seen after rambling over the continent in six major international tournaments this past year, and nobody knows it yet because they are spending their money on beer and not plane tickets, which is understandable. better passing, smarter shooting, harsh defending. i wonder why we north americans would travel to europe when we haven't even seen the real competition in the pnw yet. pnw courts are smaller than the mid-western norm.
so, by all means, hold the biggest tournament you can in europe, and hopefully lots of north americans will be able to show up. in the meantime, you are all invited to seattle for the big show. harmonise as you will, but the north american game is definitely set on balls, net sizes, and 99% of the rules.
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 07:09pm
#164
will seatle use a more standerdized North amerikkkan court if they host the tourny. also i like this new way to spell amerikkkan. and all you canukinucks (sp?) (can be part of this too and the mexicants (sp?) too. oh and the southern hemisphere can be that too. also i would like to point out that when the dollar is week, were all week, so no one wins. also i am very proud of the europians for there obvious and clear distain for us amerikkKANTS, sorry that we want to host a tournyment that you feel like doesnt include you, i wasnt invited to the olimpics either and i think its because im not a fast swimmer, but hey we can all win. as far as seattle goes sounds fun, but so would new york. but if boston is hosting the naxxx well thats cool too, it seemed to work fine with you guys havin a tourny that didnt get fucked by a race, in fact i didnt see any racers. also doug i like how you interject your hard court into any anacronim available.
new team name WTFHCBP
thats what you should call you tourny and ill be there. in the mean time i hope you are all plannin to come the the NYC tourny being hosted in Madison this year, and were not looking to see who the champion of the world or universe is just of the year. so fuck all yall we own that shit just as much as you.
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 08:09pm
#165
seattle uses courts similar in length to chicago, but narrower. akin to portland, east van, ottawa, new york in length, others i am sure... real measurements would help now, wouldn't they?
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 09:09pm
#166
New York is substantially longer then chicago's courts ottawa was a bit longer as well, i feel that small courts limit the play a bit but that might just be because i play on the longest courts in NA.
Mon Sep 8, 2008, 02:09am
#167
The Pit = 138 feet x 98 feet
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 08:09pm
#168
Priceless. I would like to formally nominate Ben for the bikepolo.ca hall of fame.
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 09:09pm
#169
yes but his grammar is far too sophisticated...
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 10:09pm
#170
thanks i would like to thank all the trolls out there, this goes esspessially to you paul. i could have learned patience without you. i took my time waited for the thread to develp and then droped it. how you like that yurp. bring, the oscars in amerikkka now
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 07:09am
#171
Would a european team be welcome to participate in a NAHBPC?
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 07:09am
#172
Yes. Assuming we have enough courts/time to take all comers, all comers are welcome. Exclusion is not our thing.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 08:09am
#173
I really really can't see us starting to be exclusive right now. I hope we never are or have to be. I think if there is greater demand & a greater number of teams, we will figure it out, whether it's more days/tourney or just more courts. Shouldn't be difficult.
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 04:09pm
#174
Cool. I'd say the same as you two if someone asked if a North American team wanted to come to the Euro Championships (when we have them...)
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 01:09pm
#175
Fuck it.... make it the Bike Polo Championship of the Universe.
----------------------------------
Moooooo!
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 02:09pm
#177
I think Seattle would be a great place to throw this big tournamnet having been to a couple tournaments there. Call it North Americans, call it worlds; I don't think it is that important right now. Let's pick the place and make it as big as possible. More teams from around North america and the world the better.
Mon Sep 8, 2008, 10:09am
#178
CAN WE JUST SHITCAN THE STUPID SEMANTIC DEBATE ALREADY AND CALL IT THE "VERY LARGE AND IMPORTANT ONCE A YEAR BIKE POLO TOURNAMENT AND CHAMPIONSHIP," OR VLIOYBPTC?
Sun Sep 7, 2008, 02:09pm
#180
I would fly to Europe for a major polo tournament but let's have the first big one here. Cost is a factor so if you live in Europe start saving.
I move that it be held in Seattle.
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Little Richmond Bros Of Prey