If you asked your friends what’s sup polo, they might look at you funny.
But a group of Joburg buddies have brought the water sport to South Africa for the first time, and Emmarentia Dam is its new home.
Chris Couve, South Africa’s second-ranked stand-up paddling (sup) racer began working for an international sup board brand two years ago and he was introduced to the hybrid sport of sup polo overseas.
“The sport is very big in Europe but the rest of the world is catching up,” he said.
He explained that sup polo combined stand-up paddling with canoe-polo, which is basically soccer on water.
But instead of using a canoe, players stand on sup boards, and instead of collecting and throwing the ball with their hands as in canoe polo, sup polo uses specially-designed paddles with a hole on either end. These are used to paddle across the field as well as gather and throw the ball.
Sup polo rules tolerate less physicality than canoe polo, and three players compete on each team.
Couve ordered six sup polo paddles from Bangkok and invited his friends to have a go at Emmarentia Dam.
A year later, and the South African sup polo crowd is about 50 strong.
There are no leagues or tournaments, and they don’t play every weekend but now and again a few people get together and have some fun.
“We mostly play by word of mouth and have parties or afternoons at the dam. It is all social, a fun day out.”
Sup polo player, Alistair Jackson commented, “Sup polo brings a whole new aspect to water sports. It requires fitness, and there are a few tumbles, but it is a great way to get people outside and have fun.”
Couve invited anyone interested in finding out more about playing the sport to contact him.
Details: Chris Couve chris@star-board.co.za; 079 516 4944.
ALSO READ: Canoe-crazy kids battle it out at Emmarentia Dam
