Our proposed 2010-11 Schedule

If interested in joining the fun let us know at

h2opolo@kingston.net

YouTube TECHNICAL VIDEOS

Egg Beater Kick

Making a Shot

The Spider

WELCOME TO KINGSTON'S NEWEST AQUATIC SPORT

Water polo is the oldest continuous Olympic Team Sport.

It was first admitted into the modern Olympic Games in 1900 (for men). Women were accepted into the Games in 2000 (hard to beleive it took 100 years!). Water Polo is a combination of swimming, throwing and ball handling skills. It combines tactics from basketball, soccer and team handball.

We all participate in exercise activities with a mind to fitness.  MOVING—from running, rock climbing, and biking, to table tennis and swimming.  Sports are fun and help develop balance and coordination—it’s good for your cardio and your body. Now how about getting IN THE WATER for a total workout!

Jump, kick, use the eggbeater, spin, throw, backstroke, shoot, score, compete . . . PLAY!  This is the sport of WATER POLO!

After playing hockey as my primary exercise for nearly 35 years I recently took up swimming in a serious way. It hasn’t been easy... quite a learning experience.  But like jogging it tends to be monotonous, going back and forth in the pool. And then water polo came to town.

On alternating Saturday nights through the fall and winter, I head down to Artillery Park Aquatic Centre in downtown Kingston to join a group of similar fitness-minded individuals who turn up for a one-hour water polo extravaganza. Gender is not an issue, nor age. Ryan is our youngest player at 12 and I stand in at 57 to rep the other generation of players. Sometimes my wife and two teenage daughters make it a family workout by joining me.

Arno our instructor (25 years experience playing in the Netherlands)  gives a pre-game warm-up and drill session with a crazy combination of strokes and kicks, eggbeaters, scissor kicks with one-handed throwing and catching. We are all students learning the basics.  Then there are the offensive/defensive drills and plays unique to the game. We finish with a 20 minute scrimmage. Anyone who has watched a game on TV has no idea what it’s all about until you are in the water playing. It's extreme, with a capital X. I love it, because I’m exhausted by the end of the match. Everything I do like skiing, biking and playing hockey has improved because of these water polo workouts. In my mind, it’s as hard as any workout can be.

With my young teenage daughters I live by example. I am more involved in sport and fitness because of them and water polo is one thing we can do together where they are better than their dad.  I love it. To me, there is nothing better than sport, if anything, variety is a big plus.

I encourage you to get involved in SOMETHING athletic—anything that would be fun and enjoyable for you, friends and family. There are so many different kinds of sports to choose from. Set a goal, take a class, or sign up for a race, anything that gives you a reason to focus on "can do" and the feeling of accomplishment.  Remember, “... those that can, do.  Those that can do, do more.” GO FOR IT! Water Polo is worth the try.

The sport continues to grow with interest.  We have satellite support from Dave Hill, coach of the Bushido Water Polo Club in Winnipeg and the City continues to offer hours for school groups interested in receiving some instruction from us. 

ARE THERE ANY PREREQUISITES?
No water polo experience is necessary, but players should be comfortable, deep water swimmers.  Red Cross Aquaquest 8 (Swim Kids 7) or Lifesaving Society Swimmer 7, or equivalent, are appropriate considerations.

Our recreational water polo play is non-competitive and is coed for all players of varying ages (from 10 to 50 years of age) because at this stage of development there are not great differences in strength and ability, between age or gender.

COME OUT TO ONE OF OUR RECREATIONAL SESSIONS
Check our fall schedule when it is posted. All games are at Artillery Park, usually from 7-8PM on Saturdays. The fee will be $6.

Practices combine water polo skills like ball handling, game tactics and scrimmages with swimming, endurance and speed. Your swimmer will get fit very quickly without realizing it!

We look forward to seeing you in the pool!

The basics of the game---->