Welcome to the Canoe Polo discipline page. In this section you can learn about the sport and the equipment it uses. You can also find out how to get involved, look for a club that offers Canoe Polo activity near you and check out some upcoming events to go and enjoy.
Canoe Polo is a thrilling, fast-paced team sport that's gaining popularity across the UK. It's a bit like water polo, but with kayaks! Two teams of five players compete to score goals in raised nets, combining paddling skills with ball handling in an exciting contact sport.
Canoe Polo is played on rectangular pitches set up in swimming pools or on flat stretches of water. You'll find matches happening all over the country, from London to Edinburgh, Manchester to Cardiff. Players can throw the ball by hand or flick it with their paddle, aiming to score in the opponent's net suspended above the water.
Canoe Polo Equipment
There is a range of specialised equipment used in Canoe Polo. The main items are:
- Kayaks: Short and nimble, with padded ends for safety
- Paddles: Lightweight and designed for both paddling and ball control
- Safety Gear: We take safety seriously - helmets, faceguards, and body protection are all must-haves
Skills You'll Develop Playing Polo
Canoe Polo is brilliant for improving your all-round paddling skills:
- Kayaking Technique: You'll become a more confident and skilled paddler. Canoe Polo requires precise manoeuvring in tight spaces. Players need to quickly turn, accelerate, and stop their kayaks, which greatly improves overall boat control skills
- Enhanced Balance: It's not just about speed. Staying upright while reaching for the ball, tackling opponents, or making quick turns significantly improves a paddler's balance and stability in their kayak
- Teamwork: Learn to work effectively as part of a team on the water. Working with teammates in a dynamic environment enhances team communication skills, which are valuable in group paddling situations
Competitions in the UK
We've got a fantastic competitive structure for Canoe Polo in the UK:
- National League: With categories for Open, Women's, and Youth teams
- Regional Events: Grassroots tournaments happen throughout the year
- Summer Tournaments: Many UK canoe clubs host large outdoor events, attracting teams from across Britain and even internationally
Great Britain has been a key player in developing Canoe Polo globally. We're proud to be one of the world's leading nations in the sport, regularly competing in World and European Championships.
Interested? If so hit the Get Involved button above and enter your postcode to find your nearest club, or simply ask PaddleBot below for a club near your area.
Contacting your local canoe polo club is a great way to get started. They should be able to provide you with all the information you need and most clubs have basic equipment you can use to get you on the water and playing in a friendly and safe environment as soon as possible.
There are leagues and one-off tournaments that take place around the country on a regular basis through the year. In general, regional leagues run through the autumn and winter, including in pools while the national leagues run through the spring and summer outdoors on suitable sheltered water venues.
Find Your Nearest Canoe Polo Club
If you want to start your journey in Canoe Polo then enter your city, postcode, or What3Words location below and search.
Please find below a range of useful documents and external links for anyone involved in or interested in the discipline of Canoe Polo.
Useful Documents
- Canoe Polo Discipline Committee Terms of Reference539.30 KBFebruary 2, 2023This document contains the Terms and Conditions for the Canoe Polo Discipline Committee.
Canoe Polo Links
The links below will take you to external sites, most of which are updated by third parties. Please contact the relevant website owner directly for any enquiries or issues.
Canoe Polo UK Social
Below you can find the links to the main UK Canoe Polo social media accounts.