Playable year-round and in any weather, this low-cost sport requires only a $10 item, making it accessible to all.
Tracing its roots back to the Southern U.S. in the early ’60s, disc golf has gradually made its way to the Comox Valley and is now embraced by a growing number of people.
Among them is Comox Valley Disc Golf (CVDG) president Jordan Menu.
“I moved to the Comox Valley in 2020, and before living here, I played (sports) in Vancouver for a long time, but my body started falling apart. Disc golf became a nice way to go out and get some exercise. It’s an incredibly accessible sport to get started because you only need one Frisbee.”
Not only is it a low-barrier sport, disc golf is enjoyable from the get-go, according to Menu.
“Disc golf is essentially (like) golf, and it follows the same rules. Instead of using clubs and disposable balls, we’re throwing a series of Frisbees at baskets.”
However, one shouldn’t be fooled by the simplicity of disc golf. With varying degrees of difficulty, the region’s disc golf courses offer a worthy challenge for both neophytes and experienced players alike.
“For somebody who’s brand new to the game, the courses that we have are very accessible because they’re not super long,” he explained.
“If you can throw a disc 50 feet, we’ve got some short courses that will be just up your alley and be a fantastic place to learn.
“Our course in Cumberland is the most accessible and is the best maintained. (Otherwise) the course in Comox… has some of the hardest holes in the Valley.”
As the world isolated in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Menu noticed a surge in the sport’s enrolment, as it provided a new alternative for people to enjoy outdoor activities while respecting social distancing.
In January 2024, the CVDG counted nearly 100 members and observed hundreds of other players enjoying the region’s courses throughout the previous year.
Maintained by the dedicated work of volunteers, Menu emphasized the crucial role of the CVDG members and their contribution to sustaining the region’s disc golf infrastructure.
“A membership is only $20 and that goes a long way to help us make disc golf even better,” he mentioned. “All of our membership fees go towards maintaining our courses, putting on events, buying prizes, hosting our open houses, hosting women’s nights, and (organizing) different match-play events.
“Last year, we also raised ($400) that went towards creating a bursary for high school students.”
Menu also noted that additional money will help the CVDG reach its lofty objective of being one of North America’s mecca for disc golfing.
“Our big goal is to make the Comox Valley the disc golf (capital of) Western Canada (offering) one of the best places to come and throw discs.”
For more information about the courses, and events, or to become a member of the CVDG, visit cvdiscgolf.com
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