An enthusiastic group of 24 kayak paddling polo players descended upon the Innisfail Aquatic Centre and didn't leave until the last goal was scored.
The Cottonwood Kayak Club annual Canoe Polo & Slalom Fun Tournament was held Feb. 1 and players of all skill levels from ages 11 to 55 participated. Some came to prepare for national team tryouts, while some attended just to give back to the Cottonwood club.
ìWe had 24 players register this year,î said Julie Ramrattan, a member of the club executive. ìOur numbers were down this year, but the weather did keep a few people away. Teams usually consist of between four or five players and are played on regulation pools 23 metres by 35 metres. Players can only hold the ball for five seconds.î
She went on to say kayak, or canoe, polo is a cross between soccer and basketball, with players throwing the ball into a net suspended one metre above the pool level. The defensive team can stop the offensive team by using their oars to block shots.
The game is considered very physical.
ìI still have sore shoulders,î said Ramrattan. ìEarlier today I played three games and will probably feel it for a couple of days. These kids are in incredible condition to be able to play as long as they do.î
The recreational players had some esteemed company. National and former national team members Shylo Hendrickson, Darius Ramrattan, and Dan Groeneveld attended the day and tossed balls.
Hendrickson, 19, is anxiously awaiting her national senior women's team tryout next weekend.
ìI love coming out here to play. This is where I learned kayak polo in 2006 and now I want to give back to Innisfail,î said Hendrickson. ìThere is a few younger kids I can help mentor here. With my tryout coming up, I also needed to get the rust out of my system.î
If Hendrickson is selected, she will be competing in France in September.
Darius Ramrattan, 22, said he is more of a recreational player.
ìI came to just get into the water and throw some balls,î said Ramrattan. ìUnlike Shylo, I have not played national level canoe polo, but have been on the national slalom squad.î
Senior kayak polo paddlers Mack Gillies and Dan Groeneveld have competed on the national and international stage. Both hit the water during the tournament. Groeneveld is an international judge who is waiting to hear if he will be going to London for the first World Cup tournament.
ìSince my daughter Jessica was involved with kayaking I helped when I could,î said Groeneveld. ìI paddled until my daughter routinely beat me, then took to judging and kayak polo.
ìThis is a great sport that is huge in Europe and becoming more popular in North America,î he added. ìThis year Deep Creek, Maryland is hosting the World Slalom Championships, the first time in 20 years one has been in North America. I hope to be there as a judge.î
The Cottonwood club is part of the Alberta Whitewater Association under its closed deck category. The 20-year-old club continues to produce world level athletes in all categories of closed deck, which includes slalom, freestyle, and kayak polo.
To get more information about the Cottonwood Kayak Club, contact Julie Ramrattan at 403-227-1135 or email her at [email protected].
