“You went where? To do what?”

My friend Brian’s first words to me when he saw me in July 2015. We hadn’t seen each other for a few months (he lives in Oldham, I live in Kent, and being men we don’t “chat” on the phone very much!). I had just come back from a 4-night stay in Montreal. Canada has always been one of my favourite places. I visited Toronto a few years ago with another friend and saw Niagara and Ottawa but always regretted running out of time to see Quebec.

So in 2015 I had a few days spare from work, a bit of cash in my pocket, no immediate commitments and thought I’d head westwards. The flight wasn’t too pricey and, as always when I haven’t got my boys with me, I stayed in the cheapest hotel. This hotel was in the seediest part of town (red light district) but it was central to everything particularly the underground. My French isn’t great but I find the ability to order iced coffee and beer in any language is all that you really need.

I told everyone that I was going to Canada to sample the sophistication of Montreal. And Montreal certainly is sophisticated! The old town, the cathedral, the Olympic stadium, the parks, the food, the Canadiens! I also told everyone that whilst there I may take in a professional ultimate Frisbee match. This didn’t raise much of a reaction. People know I love my sport and either had no idea of what I speak or didn’t care.

What I can now reveal is that professional ultimate was not a side issue for my trip – it wasn’t a nice extra, an added bonus at the end of a few nights away. It was, in fact, the main reason I went! Yep – I spent £650 on a flight, £240 on accommodation, £200 on food, drink etc for the sole reason of watching grown men chuck a Frisbee around. Hence Brians reaction. He and many others couldn’t believe it. They found it perverse that I would go all that way with the primary reason of watching a so-called professional sport; a sport that most people in this country didn’t even know existed and certainly do not perceive it as a sport.

But sod them! It was glorious. I am not in general a huge fan of American sport (with the exception of ice hockey) – American football leaves me cold, baseball is a glorified version of rounders and there are so many points awarded in basketball that I find myself shouting at the players to not worry if they miss a basket another chance will come along in a minute. But ultimate is something else. Could any other country invent the Frisbee in general and ultimate? And Montreal ultimate takes it to a different level. I think I was initially drawn to them after seeing them, and in particular the fans and the atmosphere on YouTube. They were attracting 2000-3000 fans a game and I felt it was just something that I had to be a part of. The Royal played at McGill University – a fabulous Canadian football stadium built out of the side of a park. The views were amazing, the atmosphere electric, and the match was a comfortable win for Royal against DC Breeze. What was more memorable was all the off-pitch stuff. There was the singing – a little choreographed for my British taste but enthusiastic none the less. People serving you beer in your seats – if that is not one of those “I’ve died and gone to heaven” moments I’m not sure what is! The merchandise available to buy was enough for me to have a wet dream over. If this is professionalism lets have more of it! At the end of the match I stood by Royal TV as they were interviewing players and management. I was there nodding and laughing at what I thought were appropriate moments. In reality I had no idea what was being discussed. My attempt to be interviewed for my wisdom to be imparted to the good people of  Quebec was ignored.

My advice to all – if you are in America or Canada between April and August go to see an AUDL game. I cannot promise it will be as good as the Royal. I cannot guarantee it will be the greatest experience of your life. But it will make you a more interesting person and nobody will believe you did it!