Introduction to Canoe Polo on Vimeo.
Canoe Polo is one of the eight disciplines of canoeing persued in the
UK, known simply as "polo" by its officionados. Polo combines paddling
and ball handling skills with an exciting contact team game, where
tactics and positional play are as important as the speed and fitness of
the individual athletes.
The game requires excellent teamwork and promotes both general
canoeing skills as well as a range of other techniques unique to the
sport. Two teams each with five players on the pitch at any one time
(and up to three substitutes) compete to score goals in their opponent's
net which is suspended 2 metres above the water. The ball can be thrown
by hand, or flicked with the paddle. Pitches can be set up in swimming
pools or any stretch of flat water.
Boats are specifically designed for Polo and are shorter (3m) than
typical kayaks which gives them fantastic manoeuvrability. Paddles are
very light weight and designed with both pulling power and ball control
in mind. Body protection, helmets and faceguards are all compulsory.
There are internationally agreed rules for the game, World and
European Championships are held every two years. Great Britain is one of
the world's foremost nations, with the British men the current World
Within the UK there is a National League structure, with categories
for Open, Women's and Youth competitions, with many regional events held
throughout the year.
During the summer months a number of canoe clubs host very large
outdoor tournaments which attract teams from all over the country and
some international teams, and many British clubs compete at similar
tournaments around Europe and sometimes the rest of the world.
If you are looking for a club that plays canoe polo, start here.