NUCC

Ok there are a lot of differences, basically it’s a five-a-side game were a football sized ball is passed between players in two teams in a (sometimes vain) attempt to get it into a hanging net at each end of the court. Of course all this takes place in kayaks, but for some reason they still call it canoe polo. For the full official description see this website:

http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/Aboutoursport/Canoe-Polo.html

We currently have 3 teams open to any student in Newcastle University and they are cleverly titled A-team, Ladies team and team progress. Each team is picked on a individual business all year long so don’t worry if you don’t make it into the team you want first week, there is plenty of time to impress. If you are a guy looking to be in the ladies team though you will have to get a sex change but the other teams are open to everyone.

The main day for training is Tuesday evening at 7pm at Fenham pool, we can help organise lifts and lots of people cycle from all over Newcastle so there probably will be someone near you so you don’t get lost. Training sessions mostly consist of teaching new people the ropes and teaching more advanced skills and techniques to the others. There are chances to train with the different teams at other times during the week but these tend to be organised on a week by week basis so get talking to people from day one.

We compete in local leagues from early on in the university year and the leagues move indoors once the weather turns against us during the winter. These competitions are small and we don’t enter all three teams so places can be competitive. They are a great place to show off your skill early on so that you can impress for the BUCS competition around Easter. This is a weekend long tournament with nearly every university in the UK talking place and when you’re not fighting for glory on the pitch you can party like there’s no tomorrow morning match.

In preparation for this we are trying to organise a friendly tournament with a few university teams that we are very friendly with. This will also include a night out or two with the day’s winners going out in full paddling kit as a treat for winning.

There’s always a post training beer (or non-alcoholic beverage) or two on a Tuesday night in the North terrace pub and this is a great place to get to know more of the people in the club. For anyone looking to party we head out with NUCC on their socials (check out the socials page on this website for more info) and depending on interest there may be a NUCPC social at some point.

In short canoe polo is a team game for anyone with an interest in improving their kayaking and wants a bit of friendly competition. You only need an ability to swim and something to swim in to join.

Hope to see you soon...