This site is dedicated to petanque players everywhere, but will especially cater to the needs of the players living on the West Coast of the United States. In the near future, the information found here will be supplemented with audio podcasts as well as video podcasts. The Petanque Talk! site will cover reviews of the various clubs and terrains found on the West Coast, give some exercise and technique pointers, and give you a heads-up on up-coming tournaments that you won't want to miss, as well as the results of major petanque tournaments taking place on the West Coast.
I haven't been to all the clubs on the West Coast... but here is a list of the clubs, and a few comments that you might find helpful if you are in their area and considering joining the locals in playing a bit of petanque.
Started in 2007, the players of the Fresno Petanque club are already showing up among the top players in other club's tournaments. I expect great things from this club in the future!
They play in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park!
The Menlo Park Club terrain is impressive at first glance! The pistes seem to go on forever!
Located as it is in the East Bay area convenient to several other petanque clubs, Lamorinda Petanque Club attracts players from several clubs each event - making it a good club to try your skills and learn from a variety of players.
The Los Angeles Petanque Club is one of the oldest and most respected clubs on the West Coast. The level of play can be very high - but is always friendly! If you find yourself in the LA area at the time of one of their events make a point to join in the fun. It will certainly be a memorable experience!
Nestled in the hills on the way to Yosemite, you could not find a more picturesque setting than that enjoyed by the Oakhurst Petanque Club! Join in one of their friendly tournaments, and stay the weekend for some sight seeing in Yosemite National Park!
The Portland Petanque Club has distinguished itself as a first class club for holding major national tournaments.
The San Luis Obispo Petanque Club is in its formative stages... but California's Central Coast is beach and wine country! So once it gets rolling you can expect some fun events!
The Seattle Petanque Club plays at three different terrain locations. I have played only at the Bellevue Park location - but a prettier terrain location would be very hard to find.
Nestled in Sonoma's wine country, and playing some serious petanque, the Valley of the Moon Petanque Club is developing depth only hoped for in most other clubs. How many other clubs can claim to have sent juniors to the World Competition?
Met some of the Walla Walla members at the Portland 2007 World Qualifiers. We talked wine since I live in California's Central Coast wine country, and Walla Walla is fast becoming part of the Northwest's wine country!
Played against a couple of the Willits members... they were the shootingest team that I have ever encountered! Amazing to play against - and young players, so we'll be contending with them for years to come!
Make your own practice petanque terrain!
Sort of wish sometimes that you had your own petanque coach? .... well now you do! Petanque Coach
Lets get more young players on the terrains and into the tournaments! Here are some ideas about how to make that happen!
Upcoming West Coast Petanque Tournaments
Covering those tournaments that you won't want to miss - either as a participant or a fan!
2007 West Coast Petanque Tournament Results All of the West Coast's major tournament results are now posted! Regionals, Nationals, and World Championship Qualifiers for 2007!
2008 West Coast Petanque Tournament Results
The results of the major tournaments on the West Coast. From Seattle to San Diego the results will be posted here!
The Petanque community needs a National Convention of some sort. Whether it is a cozy symposium-style weekend Petanque Camp or a full-blown National Convention in Las Vegas, it needs the opportunity to learn, and network that nearly every other sport and hobby enjoys! So lets start thinking about what a National Petanque Convention would be like...
Petanque Talk! is in the process of producing a Petanque Camp! Don't miss out on the fun!
If you are a member of the FPUSA you can play in tournaments around the world! Here are some such opportunities! Play International!
If this could be the perfect petanque world... what would it be like? Here's a Wish List!