SUP Polo - a Team Sport, Great Workout and Oodles of Fun!

At ASI we are always amazed at how versatile SUP can be. From SUP touring to SUP surfing to SUP downwinding and SUP yoga.  But could SUP polo possibly be the most fun team sport on board a SUP?  ASI trainer Chris Kenyon from ASI accredited school Central SUP, UK tells us more about it:

What is SUP Polo?
SUP Polo, is a cross between stand up paddleboarding, water polo and lacrosse played on inflatable SUP boards with paddles.

It is played on a sectioned off area on flat water outdoors or you can play in a swimming pool.

It has been around for a few years here in the UK.  Originally it started as a bit of a gimmick and then it became a bit more serious, but it really is such a fun team-based event.

What are the rules?
Each team has three players and each game is six minutes long so three minutes each way. The ball is played using specially designed paddles with a scoop in them and players can only use their paddles to touch the ball and try to fire it in the net. It’s a short and fast highly entertaining game as there is lots of falling in! The team who score the most goals win.  It may only be short but it’s very intensive and it’s not only fun it’s a very good workout.

What skills do you need?
To be able to play you need to have some SUP experience so I recommend that you have at least one beginner lesson before you try it.  Being able to paddle, balance on the board and turn are all requirements before you can play the game.

Any special type of equipment needed?
Starboard make special polo boards with fins at either end as you are turning quickly in a small space.  But you don’t need to have the special boards. A small inflatable SUP is a good alternative. 

The paddles are smaller with a hole it to be able to launch the ball.

You can also buy a SUP Polo inflatable field with inflatable goals.

Any funny moments during a game?
Central SUP’s Nick Bromley always plays dirty and in known for gently pushing people in. It’s all done in jest though as it’s a fun activity and he always gets penalty for it.

Tell us about the SUP polo championships?

There is a SUP Polo mini championship held in Guildford each year in an outdoor lido and teams from all over the UK come to compete in that.

Plus, we play at the National Watersports Festival at Rutland each year.

Central SUP runs SUP polo games once a month in the local swimming pool throughout the winter but there are plans to take it out to the lake and section off a course so that it can be played year-round.

So, if you’re looking for a SUP team sport which is heaps of fun and provides a fantastic workout then SUP polo is for you. The game is perfect for building skills and balance and for participating during the winter (indoors) to keep you motivated when you can’t get outdoors on the water.

NOTE:
Chris Kenyon is the owner of ASI Accredited School, Central SUP, located at Tamworth, Midlands England UK
Website: www.centralsup.com






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