Petanque Secret!

Roughening Up New Boules

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New boules can be a delight, all new and shiny and full of promise! But they can also be a real frustration, slipping our of your hand until they gain some roughness. So what's a patanquer to do?!

One solution, is to, well put your new boules into a solution... of salt and water! This trick was told to me by a friend - I take no responsibility, but it did work for him!

If you soak your boules in a salt solution for a few days, or up to a week, they salt will work on the surface causing it to roughen quickly. Be careful using this method though! It is important to rinse the boules well to remove the salt, and depending on the composition of your boule's it may be difficult to stop the "rusting" process once it has been begun. Perhaps rubbing mineral oil into the boules once you get them to a comfortable roughness will help preserve them.

Also, playing on a rough rocky surface like decomposed granite will speed up the roughening process. So find a rough area to practice on, and throw lots of high lobs and shooting throws!

I have been told that playing on a road will speed up the roughening process too... but I'd hate to be the one chasing the boules! on the other hand if you throw perpendicular to the road the curb should stop your boule.

So there you go! some ideas to help you get a handle on new smooth and shiny - and slippery! - boules!