A sign of the growing dimension of the event he is organizing, it was within the framework of a real press conference that professional pelotari Dan Nécol presented in detail the progress of the Pala d’or, a pala tournament larga which will animate the frontons of the South Coast of Landes and the Basque Country from May 10 to August 30, 2024.
For non-specialists, remember that…
A sign of the growing dimension of the event he is organizing, it was within the framework of a real press conference that professional pelotari Dan Nécol presented in detail the progress of the Pala d’or, a pala tournament larga which will animate the frontons of the South Coast of Landes and the Basque Country from May 10 to August 30, 2024.
For non-specialists, remember that pala larga is one of the most difficult and spectacular specialties of Basque pelota. It is practiced in a wall on the left using a wooden pala weighing around one kilogram, with which you have to propel a ball of 90 grams out of the reach of the right hand or your left hand. ‘opponent.
On five sites
We cannot suspect the organizer Dan Nécol of not knowing his subject well since the 34-year-old Saint-Geourois is one of the best players in the world in the discipline, both head to head and doubles. For almost ten years, he has been part of the team of Impala pro players who compete all season on the canchas of the Spanish Basque Country in a championship followed by thousands of aficionados.
For the third year in a row, he took advantage of the summer break and the relationships established with the professional pelota community to set up a prestigious tournament bringing together the elite of the specialty. It will take place from May to October at five sites in the region: Seignosse, Hossegor, Bayonne, Saint-Geours-de-Maremne and Biarritz.
“Compared to last year, we will have one more step. And what a step! It will take place on July 12 at the René-Cassin high school complex during the Bayonne Festival. The guarantee of a festive atmosphere,” says the young organizer.
A DJ for the atmosphere
But whatever the site of the event, the Landes champion remains faithful to his credo: modernizing and revitalizing Basque pelota to make it a true spectacle sport and attract a new audience. “Thus, to give more power to the referee, we develop the “Vengattitude”: an orange card is awarded to the player guilty of a protest or unsporting behavior and the following point is made at 1 against 2,” he explains.
“For each event, a DJ will be there to liven up the games and when we can we will make an individual presentation of the players with a light show,” he adds. Enough to further improve the excellent attendance recorded last year.
Only the date planned for Saint-Geours-de-Maremne will compete with the Olympic Games, but in the village where Dan Nécol learned pelota and continues to supervise the young people of the club, we should display like last year the “ no hay billetes.”
What about the famous golden pala which gives its name to the competition? If it is not entirely made of the precious metal, it is a magnificent wooden object flocked with the tournament logo gilded in fine gold which will be given to the victorious team at the end of the tournament.
The champions fought last year at the Seignosse fronton.
@heywillgraphisme
The program
May 107 p.m.: wall to the left of Seignosse.
June 147 p.m.: jaï-alaï d’Hossegor.
July 1211 a.m.: René-Cassin complex in Bayonne.
August 2nd7 p.m.: Saint-Geours-de-Maremne sports complex.
August 307 p.m.: Plaza Berri Biarritz.
Prices: adults 15 euros, under 16s 10 euros.
