Jai-Alai Question of the Week


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Re(1): #514 - Who's your jai-alai mentor?

Posted on January 12, 2014 at 03:11:29 PM by ChrisR

Great question Tiger and great responses all.

There are so many great folks I've met through my 10+ years of amateur play and fan-ship, to name them all and recount the whole story would take pages. I tried and decided it'd be way too long a post, so here's the short(er) version...

Cachin II gave me the contact info for Luis Hernandez in 2001, who, along with his son Benji, taught me to catch & throw in Tijuana. Haven't seen them since it closed in 2002; hope they're all doing well.

Met the late, great Kellyaga in Tijuana in early 2002, made several trips to Orlando to practice with him and others between then and 2006, of course met Elorri and many pros/amateurs/fans; also saw the pro game for the first time. Had I not met Kellyaga, I likely would have never played/watched the game after Tijuana closed - what a great ambassador to the game he was.

Trip to the Basque country in 2006 with Elorri and Kellyaga was the single best jai alai experience one could have ever had. Played seven courts in ten days, met so many great people, saw some pro jai alai and learned about the Basques. Eskerrik asko, Elorri.

Returned to Euskadi in 2008 with my wife - many thanks to those in Amorebieta and Bayonne for their hospitality and help along the way - saw some pro jai alai and downed more wine and pintxos than you could imagine.

Citrus tournaments from 2008 until now - great to meet Perry, Mark K, Foxboro Al, Steve G, Gary, Tony... and most of all thanks to Tiger for organizing. Looking forward to seeing you all again and hoping to get some court time.

In all, I've found that the relatively small size of our group of jai alai players/fans is more than made up for by the passion of its members - and frankly I'd rather be a part of that kind of organization than one that is more common but less enthusiastic. It makes us unique and also helps to ensure the sport will continue to survive as best it can.

High cesta and my best to you all. Hope to see you at the Citrus or wherever we may cross paths soon!

Cheers,
CR

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