Canoe Polo

Canoe Polo is a team sport involving teams of five players where the objective is to score in the opponent's net. It is like basketball in a canoe. The teams pass the ball in order to move closer to the opponent's goal and for good shooting positions. The opposing team members try to block these passes and get the ball so that they can get a scoring opportunity. It is difficult to describe the passion and excitement that is created when a Canoe Polo game is in progress. The participants speeding the length of the pool weaving through the opponent's lines of defence and spinning in their short unstable craft to receive a pass creates a fast and thrilling event.

The power, grace, and balance of competitors is difficult to capture on paper as is the fierceness and intensity with which polo is played. Canoe Polo can be played indoors or outdoors and is a great spectator sport because all the action takes place in a confined area. Canoe Polo rules allow for those in possession of the ball to be pushed over. This ensures that the ball is in almost constant motion as players try to find space in good positions in which to receive the ball. The opponents chase the player with the ball and try to mark those who might receive it. While the ball is mostly thrown and caught with the hands, the more skilful players can flick the ball with their paddle.

The roots of Canoe Polo can be found in the other disciplines of Canoeing. In the early thirties European countries started sitting in a kayak and throwing a ball to each other. A new game had arisen. It took until 1986 to have the Canoe Polo Committee come to life. And in 1994 Great Britain had the honour to host the first Canoe Polo World Championships. Since then the Championships have been held in a bi-annual rhythm with the latest ones been held in Essen in Germany in 2002.

The 5th Europeans Canoe Polo Championships 2003 were held in Kilcock, Co. Kildare and there were of 35 teams from 16 countries entered in the competition. This is a great privilege for our country and highlights the dedication of the volunteers in the sport working to make this a successful competition.

WWKC continue to provide members of the club to the Ireland squads and they continue be represent us in the Europeans and Worlds each year.

Also check out the canoepolo forums at the official ICU wesbite at http://www.canoepolo.ie and  http://www.canoepolo.com/forum