Maritime games are a Languedoc tradition, the creation of which dates back to the 17th century. The very first tournaments of this traditional sport took place in Agde in 1601 then in 1627 in Frontignan and in 1665 in Mèze. Tournaments in the 18th century pitted married men and young unmarried men against each other, the former in red and the latter in blue over their clothes, boats, and spears. The spears of the current version of maritime jousting in Sète measure 9.19 feet (2.80 m) and are held in the hand by the jousters. At their end is a steel trident that must dig into the opponent's bulwark.