Cocoball

Just come back from a place called Bocas del Toro, which is on a group of islands to the north of Panama mainland, on the eastern side. It was described to me as having ´a really cool Carribean vibe´ and that most definitely was the case. The place was really laid back and I loved it.

The journey there and back was fine, it consisted of bus and boat and all quite easy to do. Transport here is easy, you just need a little patience sometimes....

Sat on the bus on the way back it got a bit surreal...it seems the 80´s Welsh songstress, Bonnie Tyler has won Panamanian hearts in one way or another because the bus was crammed with people (a v busy day) who, instead of doing their normal polite silence with occasional smile, waited for Bonnie to hit her zenith and then quietly joined her singing the immortal words: ´Turn around bright eyes, ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne neee and I need you now tonight, na na na na na na na-na´ Honestly, everybody was singing! The man behind me got quite carried away and as far as I could make out was the only one who actually knew all the words, my favourite line being, ´Once upon a time I was falling in love, but now I´m only falling apart.´

I can´t really do justice to the moment, I was too surprised and ended up trying to stifle my fit of giggles but I can give you a link to the video which is just totally surreal. I can´t decide which part I like best...Bonnie´s reaction to the bright eyed, mullet haired choir boy or feather arm boy. Please watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxhH8N3Bo

So, yeah, spent two days at the beach on Bocas and another island called Bastimentos and this was where, ladies and gentlemen, I participated in history in the making. I shall recount:

Cocoball is a game for two players, although can be played with doubles (mixed or otherwise). In the words of one of the founding members: ´When Cocoball opens the Olympics in 1000 years, just remember, you saw it here first...´

Equipment required:
- A ball or spherical shaped missile, equivalent in size, shape and weight to a coconut. Or a coconut.
- Two large poles, details of the dimensions of which can be found in rule 23, sub-section B, paragraph 2.7 ´Choosing your stick´.

The Cocoball pitch is best described as ´large and sandy´. See illustration.

Pitch up for Cocoball

The pitch is prepared by each contestant or team, who inserts their stick, or pole, into the ground, or sand, in such a way that their stick, or pole, is firmly stuck into the ground, or sand.

Illustration 5.2a

Rules of the game:

- Person A is required to launch the spherical object, which is equivalent in size, shape and weight to a coconut - or a coconut - at the stick, or pole, of person B. Launching techniques are detailed on our website FederationOfCocoball.com.
Person A is considered successful in their throw if they are able to connect coconut with stick. This is called a ´hit´ or ´coco´.

An expert launch.

-Person B then repeats the process.
- High scoring shots are achieved if either persona A or B manages to break the spherical object against the stick. This is termed a ´Double Coco´ and is worth two points. It is then up to person C to find another coconut.

Unsuitable missiles.

This object is not spherical and so would be rejected

Some players favour ´sprouters´ although purists often refuse
to use a sprouter, referring to those who do as ´sprouts´.
This term is most offensive.

It is adviseable to provide seating arrangements
for spectators.

Prior to the game it is important that contestants undertake a ceremonial mud bath. In some parts of the world this can be accomplished by walking through a forest path after a particularly heavy fall of rain.

In appreciation of the mud and to mentally and physically
prepare themselves for the game, contestants often shout
encouraging words to each other. ´Stronzo´ being a firm favourite.

Further rules:

Distractions are allowed under rule 43 whereby ´a person or persons may be employed in a distractionary capacity´ this strictly does not involve throwing the Cocoball directly at another player when they are not looking.

Finally trick shots, while not adviseable, are permitted. These include under-leg or backwards over-head throws. A word of caution, however, it is extremelly rare for a player to score a coco (or indeed, double coco) with a backwards over-head. As Bonnie Tyler would advise: Turn around.....

As I said, I loved Bocas and Bastimentos, places of sun, sea, surf, hammocks, beer, music and lots of fun :-)