An 'Ultimate' weekend in Santander

The weekend after the tournament in Salamanca were the Women's and Open Spanish Championships in the First Division. The Spanish Ultimate Federation (FEDV) holds the women's championships at the same time as the open (men's) championships. The Mixed and Open/Women's Championships alternate every year from grass to beach. This year the Mixed Championships were on grass (Sevilla tournament) and the Open/Women's Championships were on beach. And so the Quijotes + Dulcineas head to Santander beaches for the tournament. Herm, now a London resident, came back into town the Wednesday prior; we rented a car and left for Santander on the Friday.

Early (and cold!) morning departure from Madrid, our second time renting a Smart Car!

Photo credit to Hermzz

Not having work on Fridays is definitely a perk, this week allowing us to leave early in the day and do some sightseeing along the way.

Stopping in Burgos along the way

Trying to keep things cheap Herm and I hit up a supermarket for sandwich ingredients.

This was my second time in Santander, the first trip was while I was studying in Spain.

 Bronwyn, Marina and I

(Melanie not pictured)

 November 2009

During that first visit the girls and I stayed in a hostel. The hostel was called, La Horadada and it wasn't just any hostel, it was also a sailing school right on the beach (can you tell I was the one in charge of accommodation?). The hostel was also the cheapest option on hostelworld.com, that should have been the first indicator... Turns out the place was slightly sketchy... We arrived and walked into a common room with a bunch of Spanish men, apparently the sailing instructors. We quickly found out we were the only guests... Over the course of the weekend we received several notes, either shoved under our door or tucked into the bathroom mirror, the sailing instructors leaving us their phone numbers. All in all quite thankful I was not alone and that our room was under lock and key... Despite that minor discomfort it was a great trip and I definitely recommend Santander! (just not the Horadada...) Almost 3 years later, my arrival to Santander brought back the memories and I was easily able to find my way back to the hostel.

La Horadada
October 2012








This second visit was somewhat different, not only in terms of accommodation but traveling on account of an Ultimate tournament is a whole other experience, one that doesn't involve creepy Spanish men leaving you notes...

 Palm trees!









This tournament was my first time ever playing women's Ultimate. The tournament was a success and a ton of fun to play with the Dulcineas.

Dulcineas on playa Sardinera! 

(Photo cred to Teresa)

Losing 3 of our 5 games, we finished 6th out of 8 teams. 

A successful tournament all in all, especially having bageled our last opponent. :-)

 Me vs. Fendisc, a team from Santander
(Photo credit to José)

 Dulcineas going for a coffee break between games

The Quijotes open team finished 5th out of 8 teams.





The tournament was hosted by Corocotta, who not only did a great job of organizing but won in both categories and their women's team also won spirit (SOTG). The Quijotes + Dulcineas put in a good showing as the results showed both our teams came in just short of winning spirit.

Tournament dinner, the Dulcineas sporting the tournament gift, tuques!