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Featured tournament: Boracay Open

Posted by christian on Friday, March 6, 2009 · No comments

European winter is slowly stepping back, making room for the outdoor season. After a month without any featured tournament, it's time to present yet another highlight in the Frisbee world calendar: the Boracay Open Beach Ultimate tournament on the Philippines.

The home team of the island of Boracay are the Boracay Dragons, a continuously growing Frisbee club of former dragon boat rowers. Unforgotten the impressive silver performance of nine Boracay Dragons that represented the Philippines at the second world Beach Ultimate championships in Macéio in late 2007.

How and when did everything start?

First year was 2003. The company run by one of our "founding fathers" started Manila Spirits (our international showcase tournament on grass) and then decided to start a beach tourney in Boracay. Wasn't very big at the start but it has grown each year since. Despite their very limited ultimate experience, the Boracay Dragons used their natural (and now legendary) speed on sand to reach the finals of their first Ultimate competition.

How did the tournament evolve during the last years?

It's gotten bigger and bigger. Beach Ultimate in Boracay has grown by leaps and bounds. One thing has stayed the same though -- the Dragons are unbeatable on their home turf.

What is the biggest hurdle to take during the organisation of the event?

Definitely finding sponsors. Since Ultimate is still a fringe/emerging sport in the Philippines, only a few companies are open to supporting the sport in a big way (the way corporations sponsor basketball or volleyball in the Philippines). But we're getting there.

Dealing with the crowds of people and events on the island can be a challenge. One of the reasons it was moved to March from May is the large numbers of tourists and events in May. The people can be a burden to deal with as the fields take up a large portion of the beach.

How does team selection works, how many teams/players to do expect?

We don't select teams. Whoever wants to play can play. There's just a 16 team cap due to the number of fields (we have 4).We have never had trouble accommodating all teams, but this year due to the tides, we have to impose a 16 team cap.

How about seeding and the format?

Final format still to be determined depending on final number of teams, but usually we have round robin play of 3 or 4 games and then playoffs. Number of teams, byes etc. will depend on number of teams and games we can play on the 4 fields. Seeding like every other tourney based on previous results and team line-ups. The Boracay Dragons are of course this year's number 1 seed.

Does the tourney have a positive impact on the local Ultimate scene?

Absolutely, especially in Boracay. The Dragons' success on the sand both in the Philippines, in Asia, and in Brazil has definitely played a huge part in helping propogate the sport on the island. It seems that the whole of Boracay can throw a forehand and backhand and own and sell Frisbees. It has pushed volleyball and beach soccer to the fringes. You walk up and down the beach and you'll see people playing or throwing.

Locally around the Philippines, it is also having an effect as beach tourneys are now popping up in other locations: Subic, Bagasbas, and most recently Corregidor Island.

A big thanks to Rick Cayzer who willingly answered the questions above. And finally, after reading the articles from "Jane and I" and scoutraven about the Dragons and last year's Boracay Open, I'd say that this is a tournament that is not to be missed. See you there in 2010!

To bridge this unpleasant long time gap I propose reading (and playing) of the previously presented featured tournaments:

Don't hesitate to propose a tournament you especially like, maybe it'll become the next featured tournament on ffindr.

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