Until the Break of Dawn
Aaaaaah…. Oooooooooouh… PUC!
by Steve Giguere (Blockstack TV)
Every year a good number of us travel around Europe playing connect-the-dots between age old events like Tom’s Tourney, to herb infused mega-tournaments like Windmill Windup, to the private party feel of Bar do Piexe, and to the end of season chill-outs like the Copa Cabana. Of course the combination highlight / kick-start of a year of good times is always the full monty, the mother-load, the World Beach Ultimate Cup known as Paganello.
For each of these beloved events, many of the teams we see on the schedule are known to us only by reputation or name, infamy or fame. A well travelled player would need to experience all divisions at all levels to meet the full spectrum. That said, there is a team out there that represents this entire spectrum and has grown in recent years spanning the divisional boundaries at many events offering all on-comers a spirited competitive game combined with a “joie de vivre” found only in one country.
Ah Ouh PUC is the largest club in France and represents a true melting pot of players of more than 20 nationalities, brought together around a common passion : Ultimate frisbee.
The players of Ah Ouh PUC embrace the spirit of the game and enjoying the sacred honour of participating in the only sport without referees. These values drive team members to become the best player and person possible both on and off the pitch while providing a welcoming atmosphere for new players to learn the game.
Since its early days in 1989, the club receives dozens of players each year from all across the Frisbee playing planet who are drawn to the City of Love. Starting out initially on the Invalides Place at the heart of Paris and known that as ‘Invalides’, the 
tradition from spring to autumn was to play every Wednesday in an incredible league style. Countless players have enjoyed the unique French hospitality on these splendid fields, sharing the evening drinks and spirit of a Parisian sunset nestled between the Grand Palais, the Golden Cupola and the Eiffel tower.
In 2006, with the quality of the fields were showing the signs of years of competitive play, they took the opportunity to change their Invalides ways and moved house to the ultra modern site of the Paris Université Club or…PUC. Players fortunate to have played in the 2008 EUCF will confirm often with envy that this venue and it’s hot shower cloak rooms and perfect turf is nothing short of incredible. With this strength behind the newly rebranded Ah Ouh PUC (a demon of Mayan origins), they expanded from 45 players to more than 100 in 2008.
In spite of the growing pains associated with such a large club, Ah Ouh PUC continue their culture of sharing and learning (the mantra of the Invalides) by organising free competitions for local and national teams.Additionally with the success of EUCF behind them they are also planning to launch more larger scale tournament in Paris. Keep your eyes on the ffindr for France!
This season Ah Ouh PUC are back to enjoy the good vibes on the Rimini Beach.
Loic Fromentin from Ah Ouh PUC: “We are coming for the fourth time in a row in the mixed division and every year the club makes of Paganello a climax in the season.”
“What is the best souvenir for us ? It is about what happens on the fields each year is a new experience. In 2007 a third of the team was Australi
an and brought us an incredible “head up ! cheer up !” Spirit. In 2008, we played hard under the rain, wind and the cold, but results were only better in the end. In 2009 the Invalides coming in open division made the party even bigger for the club, cheering each other until the break of dawn.“
All of us have been tempted to say that what happens in Paganello stays in Paganello. For Ah Ouh PUC however, they will be meeting all of their old mates and new friends who have shared games with them at Paganello many times throughout many events in the coming season. “That will make the Paganello spirit last all year long. Amarcord!”
So if anyone is thinking of visiting France, look them up, bring your shorts and jersey and know that you’ve got a French connection in the city of Paris!
