Contribution by Freek Janssens (Team Hannibal and A*dambassador 2009)
I had a plan: being ambassador at A*dam 2009! Why? Because I wanted to be spoiled as a little baby during a tournament, and knowing that it was an anniversary edition (5th), I knew it would be even more special than it usually already is.
After a good campaign, I ended up being the main ambassador for the weekend! Now you might wonder what’s so fun about being ambassador? I’ll give you a quick overview:
• Getting the most amazing gifts (discs, stroopwafels, badges,…)
• Never having to look for a place to sit comfortably because you have a personal chair for the weekend.
• Never having to stand in line for food. Food comes to you and is served by very nice & pretty people ;-)
• Occasionally having to answer the question: “so mr ambassador, what would you like to drink?”. White wine in the jacuzzi*? No problem!
• Getting breakfast served at your tent, even in the jacuzzi* if you want…
• Having a reserved spot for your tent close to all the important stuff, even with a little private road to the jacuzzi*…
• Getting a personal towel and flip-flops for all your jacuzzi*-visits.
I ended up in a super-fun team called Hannibal (my hero when I was young). We had some good games out there, but unfortunately we weren’t able to win a single game. That is not what will be remembered of this weekend though.
What will I remember? Playing great ultimate in a wonderful city, having a lot of fun at a wonderfully organized Hat-tournament, and of course being treated as a king the whole weekend long!
I love it when a plan comes together ☺
See you next year!
Freek
*I was told the Jacuzzi will be kept as a special for anniversary editions, but don’t let this discourage you, being ambassador will always be worth the effort!
Contribution by Bicyclemark (Team Peter Pan)
People ask me: “Bicyclemark, how come you don't go to hat tournaments in other countries?” I tell them I'm a busy boy managing my small time media empire.
But I'm lying. The true reason I don't go to any hat tournaments outside the Netherlands is because the one main hat tournament I participate in every August leaves me so pleased and satisfied, I mostly just wait for when it comes around again.
This tournament that has ruined me for all other tournaments is A*dam Hat. With its great blend of relaxed atmosphere, high-mid-and beginner level ultimate, and some of the funniest people from around the world, A*dam Hat is THE hat tournament of my summer. While much of the year I play happily with my great friends here in Amsterdam, A*dam Hat is my big chance to play on the same team with friends from around the country, the continent and from all over the world. To tell you the truth, it gets addicting. I find myself trying to meet up with my international friends from A*dam Hat at other times in the year. In the end, I'll wind up participating in lots of other hat tournaments in the hopes of capturing that same magic. But let’s be honest here.. will I ever be as happy as I am at A*dam Hat? NO.... no.