Hello Pétanque Performance Academy, I'm James. I'm from the US and live in Paris. I started playing pétanque about six years ago after watching people play in Paris. Since then, I've joined a club in Paris and I'm an F.F.P.J.P. licensed player. I play year round and regularly compete in tournaments on the weekends. I'm always looking to improve my game, and I found @Kevin ORourke 's videos on youtube which I have enjoyed. I'm hoping to learn as much as I can from this community, whether it is tips, tactics, or interesting anecdotes. I'm also happy to share my own experiences and anything I've learned along the way.

Hey @Kevin ORourke , I’ve played in the tournament a few times now and will be back again this year. Because of the massive number of players, they set up terrains all over the area to accommodate everyone. You might end up playing at Parc Borély or the OM parking lot, which are paved surfaces covered in a thin, sand-like layer of tiny pebbles. You could also be at the local hippodromes or on dirt soccer fields, which are typically flat, dusty, and packed. You might even find yourself on the walking paths at Parc de la Vieille Chapelle, which is the only place where I’ve personally encountered sizable rocks and stones. Generally, though, the terrains are quite flat, quick, and smooth. But I’ve seen all types of pointing styles succeed. However if you find out which terrain you’ve drawn for your first match, you could try to check it out on Saturday. Just keep in mind that some locations are locked up while crews prep the grounds for Sunday morning.