Petanque, the new and hippest form of socializing and stylish way of unwinding?!

Surely not quite a statement that people will consider very likely, because Petanque of Jeu de Boules is still that game practiced  exclusively by elderly men right.
But now that celebs like Vanessa Paradis and supermodel Karolina Kurkova have picked up the sport and even the style makers have found the neohip bal game, it seems things have changed.
There is a charming bag with 6 balls for just € 1500,-. However a classic wickered petanque case by Chanel, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, is a lot more elegant. Count down  € 2000,- for this and take it with you on the back seat to Saint-Tropez.
Everyone knows the phenomenon in France of the elderly men trowing balls by a sand strip on the village square underneath the trees .
The game represents an ultimate way of unwinding. The game is relatively simple to play; two teams that try to hit a small wooden but with their balls and outtrow their opponent.
Internationally the petanque virus has spread out as well. In London Pernod Ricard organises a petanque party in Chelsea Physic Garden where 900 hipsters come to seriously play their game.
Also in Antwerp the petanque game has met with lots of enthousiasm it pulls you from your lazy chair, you play together, drink, laugh and play an exciting competion as well.
In the Netherlands the rejuvenation of the petanque game is on the verge of breaking through..
Role model and great innovator is Karin Rudolfs. With piercing and dreadlocks this girl from Harderwijk has a modern streetvibe.
At the world championship in Grenoble she won the bronze medall for precision trowing, later on she won the gold and silver in Turkey. 

Source: Dagblad de Pers  ‘The Beat of Summer’ - donderdag 7 juli 2011