Canoe Polo

Canoe polo, a fast-paced and exciting game that combines ball skills and kayaking, is a fantastic way to improve your white-water paddling skills. Nelson Canoe Club, a local Canoeing club, organises a winter league for both beginners and more advanced paddlers. The games take place during Term 2 on Wednesday nights at Riverside pool. All the necessary gear can be hired directly from the pool. The league has been extended for an additional 6 weeks, running until August 16, 2017.

For those looking to develop their skills further, the club offers training at various levels of the sport. Club teams also get the opportunity to compete in regional and national events. Many of our club members have achieved great success in competitions nationally and even internationally. Freya Sonneland, a key player in the NZ Women's team, earned a silver medal in the World Canoe Polo Championships in Germany in 2006 and narrowly missed out on a medal in 2008.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, you can email polo@nelsonkayakers.co.nz or visit the Nelson Canoe Polo Google Group to subscribe for emails.

Safety is of utmost importance to us. We hold an annual working bee before the start of the winter league to ensure that all Canoe Polo Gear meets safety requirements. We also perform regular gear checks as necessary. If you are using your own equipment, please make sure it meets the required safety standards. You can find more details about Canoe Polo Equipment Checks on our website.

During our games, we adhere to the OSH standards of the hosting pool. We have lifeguards present to ensure that all OSH standards are followed and to observe water activities.

For new players, please let the organiser know that you are new to the game. We will provide a comprehensive safety briefing to ensure that you are aware of all the necessary safety aspects. You will be taught how to exit an upturned boat unassisted and how to properly fit and release a spray skirt.

To ensure fair play and a smooth experience for everyone, we follow the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Polo rules. It is important for all players to be familiar with these rules, which you can find on our website. Experienced canoe polo players, who are volunteers, monitor the adherence to the rules during games. In some cases, games between experienced players may not have a referee, but there will always be a separate pool lifeguard on duty.

If you'd like to share this information with others, feel free to spread the word about our upcoming Canoe Polo events. We also offer some instructional sessions where experienced players mentor those who are less experienced. Please note that these sessions are not formal courses, but rather a way for us to support each other as a club. For more details, please contact our Canoe Polo Officer.

Come and join us for an exhilarating and action-packed game of Canoe Polo. It's not only a great way to improve your paddling skills, but also a fun and social activity for all. We hope to see you on the water soon!