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Burley Griffin Canoe Club has an active Canoe Polo division. New and returning players of all ages and abilities are welcome.
Canoe Polo is a team event played on a 35 m x 23 m field set up in a swimming pool or on flat stretches of water. Teams of five paddlers endeavour to score goals in a net suspended two metres above the water, the ball being thrown by hand, or 'flicked' with the paddle.
Canoe polo in Canberra is played at both a non-competitive and competitive level.
A weekly competition is held at the Lakeside Leisure Centre, Anketel St, Tuggeranong on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 p.m. until 9.00 p.m.
If you are interested in trying canoe polo or returning to polo please contact the Canoe Polo Convenor via this website, prior to coming to the pool on a Wednesday night.
The following information is provided to assist potential Canberra canoe polo players.
Cost
· $3.50 (adult) pool entry per person, paid to the pool
· $10 per night per adult player (under 18 years $5), paid to the Polo Convener each Wednesday night (this covers the cost of the pool hire)
· membership of Burley Griffin Canoe Club (or a club affiliated with Australian Canoeing) and membership of Paddle NSW. It is necessary to be a member of both as this provides players with personal and public liability insurance
· $10 annual levy paid to the Australian Canoeing Canoe Polo Technical Committee for the development of Australian canoe polo
Trying canoe polo
Please contact the Canoe Polo Convener via this website prior to coming to the pool on a Wednesday night if you wish to try canoe polo. This will enable experienced players to ensure that there will be somebody to assist you with having a basic understanding of the game and provide you with an appropriate boat and gear.
Those wanting to try canoe polo will need to pay $13.50 (pool hire and entry). It is possible to participate in three Wednesday nights before having to become a member of Burley Griffin Canoe Club (or a club affiliated with Australian Canoeing) and Paddle NSW.
First night of canoe polo
It is not necessary to know how to roll (either paddle or hand roll) to participate in a game for the first time. For safety reasons if you can roll ,the Polo Convernor will ask you to demonstrate your roll. If you cannot roll, we will show you how to get in and out of your boat, ask you to fall out of your boat in the middle of the pool and get yourself and your boat to the pool edge.
Increasing canoe polo and paddling skills
· canoe polo holds occasional “learn to play polo” and rolling sessions for club members during winter. Information of these is placed on the Burley Griffin Canoe Club website as they occur
· canoe polo training is held weekly on the Molonglo River. Further information on this can be obtained from the Polo Convener.
· Burley Griffin Canoe Club regularly holds “learn to paddle” sessions
· private canoeing instruction is available in Canberra or at the Penrith White Water Stadium
Swimming requirements
Players should be able to swim confidently from the middle of a deep pool to the edge of the pool.
Player ages
Polo is able to be played by all ages. Currently however, Canberra canoe polo does not have a competition for players aged under 12 years; but if there were sufficient numbers we would consider options for this age group. We are keen to encourage junior paddlers and would be pleased to discuss options. Please contact the Polo Convener.
Gear
The club has life jackets (PFDs), paddles, helmets and spraydecks at the pool. There is no charge for the use of the gear for club members. However, the number and range of sizes is limited. It is advisable to arrive at the pool at 7.20 p.m. to organise your gear.
For safety reasons, it is a requirement that paddles are to be a minimum width of 4mm with no sharp edges. The majority of newer white water paddles do not comply so players are required to use club paddles.
Also for safety reasons, it is a requirement that life jackets cover a player’s abdomen. Many lifejackets do not comply as they have not been designed for canoe polo so players are required to use club life jackets.
If you are unsure whether your lifejacket and/or paddle will comply please check with the Polo Convener prior to commencing a game.
Polo boats
Canoe polo boats are specifically designed for the game of canoe polo; they have bumpers at each end to protect players. Bumpers must not be losoe or ill fitting. The club has a range of polo boats stored at the pool if you do not have a polo boat. There is no charge for the use of these.
What to wear
Paddling or board shorts. It is a requirement that a player wears a rash shirt (short or long sleeved). It is not necessary to wear paddling shoes.
Competitions outside of Canberra
Both social and competitive competitions are played across Australia and internationally. Canberra canoe polo players regularly play in state and national competitions. Burley Griffin Canoe Club has had a large number of players that have represented Australia in Men’s, Women’s, Under 21 years and “emerging” teams.
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