Tandridge Canoe Polo - More Information

Getting started

Before you can join in a polo match, you need to know how to control a canoe safely. Full training is given to show beginners how to sit in a kayak, how to fall out of a kayak, then how to stay in a kayak without drowning - even when capsized.

You start off playing without a paddle. They progress rapidly to using a paddle and managing to cope with throwing and catching a ball as well.

Two Leagues

We run two leagues – Development and Premier, which meet fortnightly on alternate Sunday evenings from September to Easter.

Development League is for complete beginners (up to about 2 star standard).

Older paddlers who already have kayaking skills may be invited to join the Premier league directly.

Safety

In addition to playing in a team, keen members undertake training in canoe safety, lifesaving, coaching and refereeing.

Over 14’s often use these activities to qualify for the Physical Recreation, Service and Skills Section of the Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The Club is highly safety conscious and encourages both junior and adult members to undertake appropriate safety courses such as the Canoe Safety Test, First Aid training, Lifesaving Training and White Water Safety and Rescue Training.

Other types of paddling

Club members can take part in skills training (BCU Star awards) from Easter to October, with opportunities for river trips, slalom, weekends away. Typical trips have included Wales, Dartmoor, whitewater centres, the Alps and the Pyrenees.

Exposure to risk - training

Both canoe polo and kayaking outdoors involve an element of risk. Members learn how to assess the risk and how to put control measures in place to minimise risk.

When paddling white water, they learn to take into account the probability of success/failure and the consequence of success/failure. This is a valuable skill, which encourages self-confidence and the ability to apply similar assessments to other situations in life.