2023 TBUF - South Padre Island

You read that right! After a dozen +++ years, Galveston and cleats on sand finally got kicked to the curb. TBUF got rebranded as a 2 day, 4s tournament in South Padre - and we just had to see what it was about. Just eating at Ceviche Ceviche made the 6 hour drive worth it.

This felt like our most wholesome tournament - with 3 couples, 2 dogs, sisters, a child - and not to mention, a man with Giardia.
With our ears and flash tats on, we headed out for a fun day of mixed beach ultimate. What we faced, however, was the Houston Men’s Professional team and the Team USA Women’s Beach team, lol. At least our crossover was evenly matched (and we’re hoping to see some Dammit Mearle stickers on TV). The weather was also perfectly perfect, and only some of us got sunburned.

After playing, we chilled in the pool, took naps, and ate takeout before heading over to the wedding reception party at the hotel motel Holiday Inn.

There was some spook in the air about Sunday getting rained out, but it was also perfectly perfect. We played tlacuaches - and won on universe. Then we got to play another men’s team who happened to be able to find some women players.

On the way home, we did encounter the storm. It’s hard to say what was the lowest point for me: 1. ugly panic crying over the bridge or 2. Our full car sprinting into Love’s during a torrential downpour only to find out the assholes locked the store.

Highlights:

  • the puppies! (Donkey and June)

  • seeing a family casually walking an alpaca

  • the weather & sand

  • our cart! Thanks, Sam!

  • our coach, Genie

  • our support system, Mikayla & Jami

  • surviving the shit storm we drove through

  • peeing on Love’s

  • Tlacuaches spirit circle and game


More pics can be found here from Matthew Brooks! And even more here!