Shanghai has its fair share of mainstream sports – there’s more football leagues than you can shake a stick at. If you’re looking for something new and exciting to fill your days other than the usual, then let TALK take you on a journey through the world of alterna-sports.

Originally invented by Hollywood producer Joel Silver, of The Matrix fame, Ultimate Frisbee’s name was later officially changed to simply ‘Ultimate’ so as not to infringe on the trademarked plastic flying disk it utilises. Often dismissed out of hand as a sport played by university layabouts and surfers, the sport is actually a great deal of fun. Since its inception, Ultimate has increased in popularity at a rate that no one could have ever expected. With players now topping over five million in the United States alone, the sport is on the up and up.

“Like football, the game requires very little – a disc, an open space and two teams,” explains regular player Alec Huston. “This is why it is experiencing a global explosion, even in developing countries with little money or infrastructure.”

He was quick to illustrate the flourishing social scene around the sport as well. “After the games on Mondays and Thursdays a group usually ends up drinking at Scoreboard, The BREW or Big Bamboo. We are all good friends off the field.”

If you fancy getting involved, there is an established group of players that are just waiting to show you the difference between a ‘thumper forehand’ and ‘bearclaw’. All you have to do is show up. “We collect around RMB 50 from players after the games to pay for the field rental, which is expensive in Shanghai,” he says. “Or simply come by, watch and see what the game is all about.”

Games take place on Mondays at the Jing’an Worker’s Stadium from 8 – 10pm, on Thursdays at the same time on the football pitches in Century Park and on Saturdays from 1 – 3pm at the Shanghai Football and Rugby Club in Pudong.

 If Ultimate isn’t your thing, dodgeball is another fun alterna-sport option. Having rocketed to popularity due in part to the eponymous 2004 movie, the sport has migrated from the school gym to the exercise lives of adults. Keen player Craig Hunter talked about what got him involved in the first place. “I played a lot when I was in school back in the United States. When I found out there was a league here I couldn’t resist giving it a shot.”

Arranged by the ASAS, the dodgeball league is fast becoming one of Shanghai’s most enjoyable pastimes explained Carlo Wuysang. “It’s truly a fun social sport activity. ASAS dodgeball is one of our co-ed sports and it doesn’t take a lot of skill. Obviously it’s good to be athletic, but it is a sport for all skill levels. It’s not only fun to play, but it’s also fun to watch and can be hilarious at times.”

With its growing popularity in the city, the dodgeball league is currently looking for more locations in which to play. “Our primary location is in a university basketball gym not far from Xintiandi called Second Medical Jiaotong University. Gyms are hard to find and we are looking for more venues to accommodate the increased interest,” said Wuysang.

Whether it’s tossing a disk around a park or getting vindictive with balls in one Shanghai’s gyms, alterna-sports are great way to keep active and make friends. So don’t limit yourself to playing the sports you watch on TV. Get out there and try something new!

Web: www.asas.com.cn