When looking for a thrilling activity that combines endurance, cleverness, and friendly competition – Ultimate (also known as Ultimate Frisbee) is offered through two different organizations at Golden Gate Park – San Francisco Ultimate Club (SFUC) and the San Francisco Ultimate League (SFUL). This non-contact team sport uses a flying disc that weighs 175 grams. The object of the game is to score points by passing the disc to players located in the opposing end zone – much similar to rugby or American football.

Brief History

The San Francisco Ultimate League (SFUL) enjoyed its first season in the Spring of 1999, which evolved out of pickup games that gathered at the park on Saturday mornings for a couple of years running. Peter MacDonough formalized the organization – establishing four teams – with an expansion to eight teams for the Summer 1999 season. By Summer 2000, the number of teams doubled and play took place two nights a week. To date, volunteers run SFUL with eight volunteer Captains assigned to each league.

Membership Details

With the San Francisco Ultimate Club (SFUC), membership is limited. At least 350 applications are received on a yearly basis, but the organization can only accommodate 256 players. To increase your chances of being accepted – payment is required; complete contact information is provided; and captain and league experience is taken into consideration. Also, women receive a preference, as they rarely sign up.

Signing up for the SFUL – online registrations are held and accepted members will appear on a roster that is posted on the website within a little more than a week.

Teams do not practice and are only expected to show up for the times when their team is scheduled to play once per week. Expenses for playing are used to rent fields and purchase team T-shirts, discs, insurance, field equipment, and arrange tournaments.

As part of the league, all players are expected to become members of the UPA, where regular memberships cost $40. Students pay $30 in UPA dues.

San Francisco Ultimate Events

Club

• Club Games – Tuesday and Thursday nights (7pm and 8:30pm) – Kimball Playground at Geary and Steiner. Each team plays one game per week with rotating times and nights.

• Tournament held at Beach Chalet at the Golden Gate Park

• End-of-the-Season Party

League Games

• Tuesday night games at Polo Field in Golden Gate Park

• Thursday night games at the Beach Chalet

Website: http://www.sfuc.org/