Every summer Friday afternoon, around 6:30 pm, the Nissa Pilo Association organizes Pilo evenings (Pilou in French). They take place in the magical setting of the Promenade des Anglais (Gambetta level) on the “pilo stadium” (before Voilier beach when coming from the center). They will continue every Friday evening until September.
During these evenings, demonstrations are held to showcase the unique aspects of this sport. Initiations are also planned to introduce the sport to the locals and our visitors from Italy, Spain, Russia, Anglo-Saxon countries, Canada, and… China.
These evenings are led by the Nissa Pilo team; its best players and coaches, René Bodenès, Emmanuel Nicolai, Christian Delobette, Jean Paul Robbi, José Maria, Ninou Bernardi, and André Giordan, former world champions, offer their expert advice. Elie Gallo takes pleasure in explaining the rules of the game and its origin.
For those who want to know more… Pilou is a high-flying, highly dexterous sport from Nice. It is played with practically nothing: a holed coin and a bit of paper acting as a shuttlecock.
Yet, it is becoming increasingly popular among young people. It can be played for fun by making beautiful passes.
In competition, the goal is to drop the pilou into an opposing circle in teams of two. More than forty teams, among the best, competed in the latest Coaraze Championships. A Pilo League takes place every winter at Mont Boron.
For good players, parallel trainings are scheduled for the Grand Tournament of Old Nice. This year, it will be held at Place Pierre Gautier on September 22nd for the Saint Barthélemy feast.
These Pilou Friday meetings end with a Pan bagnat and other Niçois delicacies… then on the beach… with songs or other performances spontaneously organized by the various participants…
