Sports Society Spotlight: Canoe Polo

In a quiet corner of the Sports Hub, when all the leisurely swimmers have finished for the day, we hear the faint splash of a ball being tossed into water. Silence. A whistle blows. And then the thunder of paddles as opposing boats rush towards an adrenaline-filled melee. This is canoe polo, and it is a riot.

Two goals stand on top of metal poles at either end of a pitch; all you need to do is pick up the ball and throw it into one

An obscure pastime, yes, but what it lacks in coverage it makes up for in passion and energy. Aptly described by one student as ‘netball crossed with rugby, but in boats’, the premise is simple. Two goals stand on top of metal poles at either end of a pitch; all you need to do is pick up the ball and throw it into one.

Standing in your way is a team of five kayakers, who either create a formidable barrier in front of their goal or come charging out to win possession. The other four on your team will then offer themselves up for a pass, or paddle with all their might into the defensive fortress, hoping to open up space for a clear shot at goal.

This may all sound a bit mental, so let’s take it back to the start, to your first canoe polo training session. Arriving at the pool, you’ll be greeted by a team of fresh-faced, friendly exec members. After a warm introduction, you’ll be asked to take a swim test across the length of the pool. Once you’ve aced this, we’ll give you a spray deck (a waterproof cover, with a handle, that goes over your waist) to keep your legs, and the inside of your boat, dry. We then help you slide into a boat, making sure you’re calm and comfy.

Once you’re armed with a paddle, a buoyancy aid, a helmet and your boat, the fun can begin

Now it’s time for the capsize test. Counterintuitive as it may seem, you roll over so you’re upside down in the water. From here, all you need to do is pull the handle on your deck and swim out, but an exec member will always be there to help you out if you’re struggling. Smashed it? I thought you might! Once you’re armed with a paddle, a buoyancy aid, a helmet and your boat, the fun can begin.

You needn’t fear a baptism of fire, as there are always a few drills before the matches to help you get to grips with the basic skills and nuances of the game. Speaking to The Boar, coach Alex Bond acknowledges that “most people are complete beginners” so she is always prepared to cater drills accordingly.

Exercises on how to shoot (lean back with your arm in a right-angle shape, and then fire away), goal keep (no mean feat with the goal far above you on frequently uncalm water) counter-attack and roll (so you don’t have to swim out the boat all the time) are common practice, as well as attack versus defence and bulldog games.

This community spirit was on full display in the two clubs’ recent annual 24-hour ‘Paddleathon’ charity event, which has consistently raised thousands of pounds

Alex was drawn to the sport having kayaked and played netball for over a decade, and there are definite skill overlaps with a variety of sports. One key component for any sports team is a need for communication and a close team bond, much of which can be found at the legendary joint socials with Warwick Canoe!

This community spirit was on full display in the two clubs’ recent annual 24-hour ‘Paddleathon’ charity event, which has consistently raised thousands of pounds for the Canoe Foundation. Add to this a competitive spirit and never-say-die attitude, and you have yourself a very strong club. Alex believes this was best exemplified when the women’s team scored in the last 30 seconds of their final BUCS 2024 game, cueing absolute limbs for the Warwick faithful.

Essentially, strange as it may seem, Canoe Polo is an easy-to-learn, hard-to-master sport that requires you to be mentally and physically astute. Come along, and see if you’ve got what it takes. It’s sure to be a blast.