Ultimate Frisbee in Nelson! 
Whakatū Ultimate

Come play a fun, mixed-gender team sport.
No cost, no commitments, all ages and skill levels.
Why Whakatū Ultimate?
Enriching lives through ultimate since 1990
  • No fees
    It doesn't cost anything to play casually.
  • No commitment
    There are no set teams. We make up fresh teams each time we play.
  • Welcoming & supportive
    New players are very welcome.
  • Social
    We enjoy each others company :)
  • Competitive or not
    As competitive as you want to be.
  • Age range
    Club members are aged 13 to 60.
Ultimate Frisbee in Nelson New Zealand
Whakatu Ultimate - Flat Out 2024 highlights
Where and when do we play?
We play three times a week over summer (terms 1 and 4). In the winter we play outdoors on Sunday and host an indoor league on a weekday night.
Sunday afternoons - Tahunanui Beach

3:00pm (2pm in winter).
Beginners welcome.

Held on either Tahunanui Beach straight out from The Beach Cafe if low tide, or the Tahunanui playing fields behind the tennis courts, if the tide is high or it's too windy.

Monday evenings - Botanics

6:00pm during daylight savings (summer).
Experienced players only.

Botanics Reserve playing field on Milton Street, at the foot of the Centre of New Zealand.

Wednesday evenings - Tahunanui Playing Fields

6:00pm during daylight savings (summer).
Beginners welcome.

Meet opposite the three-story apartments on Beach Road.

Thursday evenings (Winter)
Nelson College for Girls gym

In terms 2 and 3 we play an indoor ultimate league.


Games are from 6:30-7:30pm and 7:30-8:30pm.

Please contact the club if you're interested in trying it out or joining a team. See contact details below.

How does it work?
Turn up at the scheduled time. Players gradually show up for warm up passes. A field is marked out. Teams are then decided and the game/s begin.

As a first time player, you’ll usually be able to get put on a team and jump right in. However, if we don’t have another newish player we can match you with, you may have to wait, as the imbalance skews the game too much. It just depends who turns up on the day.

Ultimate is a non-contact, self-refereed, team sport played with a frisbee, on a rectangular field with end zones. The objective of each team is to score a goal by having a player catch a pass in the end zone that they are attacking. When in possession of the disc, the player must stay on one spot (they are allowed to turn around), and may pass the disc in any direction to any team-mate. Any time a pass is incomplete, a turnover occurs, and the other team takes possession and attempts to score in the opposite end zone.

Info on ultimate in other regions of NZ: https://ultimate.org.nz/
Info on ultimate around the world: https://pickupultimate.com/
Rules of ultimate frisbee: https://rules.wfdf.org/
  • Q:
    Do I need to be able to throw a frisbee?
    A:
    No, we can teach you.
  • Q:
    How fit do I need to be?
    A:
    We have an array of fitness levels in the club and teams have subs, so if you get tired, you sub off for a spell on the sidelines. This means you can play to your fitness level.
  • Q:
    What age can play?
    A:
    Young people can begin once they start highschool and we have no upper age limit.
  • Q:
    Who plays ultimate frisbee?
    A:
    Club members are from a diverse array of backgrounds including healthcare workers, scientists, tradespeople, lawyers, students, doctors, retail workers, beneficiaries, business owners, and educators.
  • Q:
    What do I need to bring?
    A:
    Athletic clothes - usually shorts and a T-shirt. Bring both a dark and a light top to play in.

    Footwear - Beach: bare feet or running shoes; Fields - soccer boots are best but otherwise trail-running shoes, or bare feet in the summer.

    Water bottle, sunscreen, (insect repellent at the Botanics).
  • Q:
    What is the social aspect like?
    A:
    On game nights, those players who wish to, adjourn to a nearby pub after the games. A shout out to Smugglers, the Prince Albert and The Free House!

    Club members also organise social events which are communicated through the club. But don't worry, there is no compulsion to socialise outside of the game, if that's not your thing.

  • Q:
    How does membership work?
    A:
    Currently it is free. From next membership year we will have a free and a paid membership. The paid membership is for those members who are active club members in waged employment. They receive benefits for their subscription like paid tournament entry and cool gear.
  • Q:
    What are the opportunities for competitive play?
    A:
    We host our own tournaments, including Flat Out, New Zealand’s premier beach ultimate tournament attracting players from around the country. This is a ‘hat’ tournament, where mixed ability teams are made up from enrolled players.

    We also organise a club beach tournament on Rabbit Island and an indoor league over winter.

    We send club teams to tournaments such as Chalice City in Christchurch and the South Island Chumps at Hanmer Springs.

    Some club members play for various national level teams or have represented New Zealand internationally.
  • Q:
    Why do you play at different locations on the Tahunanui playing fields on Sunday and Wednesday?
    A:
    We don't know!
Contact
We are happy to answer your questions.
New player enquiries
Phone: 0224 552 606 (Jim)
Email: info@whakatuultimate.nz

Club President (Marcus)
Phone: 021 348 951