Basically, canoe polo is just like water polo only in canoes - and a hell of a lot better! Perhaps the best description of canoe polo is that of an English journalist seeing the sport for the first time:
The philisophy, as with all good team sports, is simple enough : get the ball, paddle like fury and throw it into a net suspended two metres above the water. In between is condensed enough mayhem to make ice hockey appear tame and well organised. In canoe polo, a lot goes unchallenged.
The canoes are specially modified to with rounded ends which have bumpers - and believe me you NEED them!
There are 5 people in each team (not including subs) and they line up with the backs of their boats on the goal line. The referee blows the whistle and throws the ball into the centre of the pool, and one person from each of the teams sprints to get it first and then shoot a goal. Sounds simple enough, right? WRONG!
The beauty about canoe polo is that you can get away with a lot. You can ram and move people around with your canoe, push them over, grab the ball off of them, flick the ball with your paddle and so much more. Getting that goal isn't so easy after all! This makes for a very exciting, action packed spectator sport.
Most people think that only really strong men have the ability to play canoe polo, but that is a myth. About 25% of all players are women, and it is a well known fact that a strong women's teams playing good tactics can defeat a men's team. This is mainly the result of mixed competitions because there are not enough women players to make a separate women's league.
Canoe polo is all about great fun, great fitness and great friends. Contact your local canoe club to find out more about canoe polo in your area.