After sorting through the school's gear to find a boat, skirt, paddle, vest, and helmet that would fit we helped move the lane buoys out of the way, set up the goals, and then finally got on the water. After a short warm up we were given a quick review of the rules of the game. The rules themselves seemed to be in place to provide a marginal degree of safety in the mayhem of pushing, bumping, tipping, and grabbing that is involved with trying to wrangle the ball into ones goal at the end of the pool. It was at this point, while the regular players were demonstrating how best to flip your opponents boat, that I was glad to have a reliable roll and a helmet WITH A FACE MASK.

Next we divided up into teams spreading the new players with the experienced and played a couple games. The regulars obviously out skilled us but were gracious enough to take it easy on the new guys and generously gave advice that instantly improved our play. The game mixes an element of soccer and basketball with bumper boats and is an absolute thrill to play. It tests your boat handling skills with constant turns, braces, short sprints, and occasional rolls while you try to keep up with the ball. While we were playing I found myself winded from exertion and laughing with delight, it is an understatement to say I had fun.

There was talk that the UCLA polo players may be willing to put on a sort of kayak polo clinic where they could explain and demonstrate the rules of the game and provide enough gear to give us a chance to give it a try. As far as I know nothing is in the works yet but if you do get a chance to give it a try I strongly recommend it.

Jake Stachovac