Three friends, Ralph Jerger, Rusty Hughes and Ben Schackman, started recruiting Ultimate Frisbee players on Maui 22 years ago. Today, many of the 15-25 regular Maui players have been playing the bi-weekly games for more than 15 years.
The sport is officially called Ultimate because Frisbee is actually a brand name. Players range in age and skill levels, including extreme sports fans and accomplished athletes, as well as beginners. Everyone is welcome to come play, regardless of skill levels.
“All kinds of people play, professionals, non-professionals, moms, young kids. It’s co-ed, and our oldest player is 60-years-old” says Suzanne Fields, a celebrated Ultimate player. She is the first woman inducted into the Ultimate Hall of Fame “It’s a very welcoming community.”
It is a non-refereed, non-contact sport.
“I think it is the supreme team sport, because it depends on the players and not some official blowing a whistle,” says Fields. After 29 years of playing, Fields reports only the usual minor injuries like in any field sport.
Experienced players help the beginners.
“Take a deep breath. Relax,” says Deb Kremins of Paia, as she coaches a new player. “Take your time and do one thing; get open, catch the disc, fake the throw using your pivot foot.” The new player is taking notes since Kremins has been playing Ultimate for 20 years.
The Spirit of the Game is what’s most important, according to Ultimate Players Association website www.UPA.org. They think so much of it that they trademarked the words.
According to their website, “Ultimate is governed by Spirit of the Game™, a tradition of sportsmanship that places the responsibility for fair play on the players rather than referees.”
The game, which is played in 42 countries, is similar to soccer or hockey, although the game is played to a set number of points, usually 13, 15 or 17. Points are scored when you complete a pass acoss the competitor’s goal line. Turnovers occur with a dropped pass, an interception, a pass out of bounds or when a player is caught holding the disc for more than 10 seconds.
The Sunday Kula Ultimate game begins with an enthusiastic shout of “Play Ultimate!” being called out.
The disc is then launched across the soccer-sized field. Seven players run from each end line; one side strategizing how to score and the other side runs to defend the end zone or goal. It’s fast-paced, with non-stop action. It’s competitive, but because of the importance of Spirit of the Game, players soften their edges and care for everyone on the field.
Missy Dunham of Wailuku has been playing since 1984. She appreciates a lot about her 22 years of playing Ultimate.
“I run without knowing I am exercising. The people who play are welcoming everywhere you go, and there is fellowship, friends you reconnect with at tournaments that you haven’t seen in a long time,” Dunham says. She encourages new people to come play. “We’d love to have lots of women come out and everyone’s welcome. If you’ve ever played soccer, or hockey, lacrosse, or any field sport, you already have a good idea of how the game goes.”
The friendships are what stand out for kitesurfing instructor Jay Doherty of Haiku. He is one of the many gifted athletes who plays Ultimate. He started playing in Keene, New Hampshire in 1979 when his friend Mark Adamy introduced him to the game. Doherty has dedicated every Sunday for 15 years to showing up in Kula and he plays hard, taking every point seriously.
“It’s simple. It’s good fun. We have the best environment. Optimal temperatures provide good grass for running and light wind patterns allow the disc to float,” he says, smiling. “And we have the greatest sunsets.”
Jay Jeeter of Kahului has been playing for 20 years. What does he get out of it?
“Camaraderie and an elevated heart rate,” he says. Jeeter began playing in Boy Scouts and went on to play in college at Cornell. He has seen his dog, Kia, grow from a puppy to a 9-year-old sideline fixture on the field.
“Ultimate has the best dogs!” cheers David Askov of Pukalani. He also brings his two sons regularly. One is an Ultimate-playing-teenager and the other a 5-year-old. Many people bring their families, including their dogs, to watch and relax on the field on Sundays. Askov has been playing organized Ultimate 18 years.
He likes the sportsmanship that players display.
“The people who come out to compete really have respect for each other,” he says. “Plus, it’s a cool game.”
Players need to be in good shape, have coordination and good throwing skills, he says. But he likes the type of people who are drawn to the game.
“People who play the sport are generally a lot of fun,” he says. “Everywhere I travel or move, I find the people I play with become good friends. Sure people are different wherever you go, but I find I get along with Ultimate Frisbee players everywhere.”
Another veteran player, Barry Feld of Haiku, likes the aesthetics of the sport.
“It’s beautiful choreography,” says Field, who has played for 18 years. “It’s ballet in motion with the Frisbee in the air. It’s the perfect team sport and it’s co-ed!”
Focusing on the pastels of the Maui sunset from the sidelines, shifting into a more poetic perspective, Jay Jeeter says, “Ultimate has the aerial artistry of the floating disc on the Kula winds, mixed with the running of soccer.” All those listening on the sidelines shake their heads in affirmation with their eyes glued to the players in the game.
Maui Ultimate invites everyone to come by the fields in Kula or Kihei to watch, and better yet, to “Play Ultimate!”
Play Ultimate on Maui
Every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. at Kalama Park in Kihei.
Every Sunday at 4:30 p.m. on the lower soccer field below the Kula Fire Station.
Every Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Disc Golf meets in the parking lot of the lower soccer field below the Kula Fire Station.