[Awclist] Kayak Polo

[Kelly Gossett]

Since moving to ABQ late last summer, its been a pet-project of mine to get a recreational kayak polo league started at the Los Altos pool. With the possibility of a low-water season ahead of us, kayak polo is a great alternative to river-kayaking. There are a few logistical hurdles to overcome, but with the help of a few motivated AWC members, we can have a league started within a few short weeks.
   
  A few reasons why you should get involved...
  1) Kayak polo is the most fun you can have on flat water....
2) Kayak polo will significantly increase your boating skills - using the fewest strokes to get where you want, using combination strokes, using the right muscle groups, increase your rolling & hand rolling skills, etc... 
  3) Along the same lines - It is a GREAT workout...you WILL feel it the next day...
4) Increased attendance at the pool strengthens our relationship with city/pool managers.
5) Again - with a low-water season ahead, this will be a great way to paddle with your friends, increase your skills and show your boat some luvin...
   
  A few considerations....
1) SAFETY is foremost. Since we wont be using regulation boats and regulation gear, we will need to come up with a few alterations to the rules so that it remains somewhat competitive, but beginner friendly and safe at all times. I'd like to ask for volunteers to be part of a "Rules Committee".  The first purpose would be to come up with a set of guidelines that will allow us to play safely, without deviating too far from the official rules (hence the name "recreational" kayak polo). The second purpose of the committee would be to help transition from a 'recreational' league to a more competitive league after the first few months.
2) Equipment. To avoid injury - should we use paddles? Hand paddles? Or paddle with our hands? At first, we can have lots of fun paddling with our hands....but eventually, we will want to use paddles and become more competitive.
2.5) We'll need to build and store 2 regulation-sized nets. I'm sure this can be done in an afternoon for probably $50 or less. The pool manager may allow us to store them at the pool.
2.75) We'll need to figure out an easy way to hang them from the ceiling at the pool. 
  3) Proper use of helmet and Type 3 PFD will be required at all times in the polo area - NO EXCEPTIONS
4) Tackling is generally allowed, but you're only allowed to tackle the person with the ball. We'll spend 15-30 minutes working/teaching the hand roll, and need to have some exceptions for beginners (ie. 'no tackling'). EVERYONE should be skilled using the "hand of God" rescue technique. We will practice this during the pre-game warm-up exercises as well.
5) A knowledgable 'referee' will help officiate the game and stop the game if a beginner has flipped upside down.
6) Eventually, I'd like to see us using regulation boats and regulation gear (helmets w/ face mask) playing by the official rules. Over time, the 'rules/equipment committee' will look for ways to raise money to purchase a few boats or help others find the best deals on boats.

  I encourage you to review the rules and photos of other kayak polo competitions. 
   
  http://sdkc.org/polo/sdkc_rules.pdf (consolidated rules)
http://www.canoepolo.com/forum/rules.php (complete rules)
  http://photos.canoepolo.org.uk/c438591.html (photos)
  
I need 3-4 volunteers to help make decisions on rules, build the nets and help integrate this into our club on a weekly or bi-monthly basis. If you are interested in volunteering, please send me an email.  The sooner we can make a few group-decisions the sooner we can begin playing. Please direct other questions to the list-serve or forum so everyone can be clued in. As always - comments, suggestions, questions, ROLF's and LMAO's are encouraged. 
   
  Kelly Gossett
kwgossett at yahoo.com
(505) 977-6105
   

		
---------------------------------
Relax. Yahoo! Mail virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses!
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: /archives/awclist/attachments/20060219/afa8d274/attachment.html