You won’t see riders atop expensive ponies bouncing off one another or hear mallets crashing together in a frantic quest for the ball. Instead, it’s the grinding of Kevlar, rubbing of plastic, and clashing of carbon fiber paddles that’ll get your attention. Barked instructions of “on your left” or “behind you” let you know players mean business. Fast-paced, wet-n'-wild games chock full of bracing, hand-rolling, splashing, and goal-scoring–this is what kayak polo has to offer.

The Carolina Kayak Polo team, based in Charlotte, N.C., became a formal club in 2004. There are a dozen members of the Carolina Kayak Polo team ranging in age from 16 – 60.

In kayak polo, the two teams of five players are serious about scoring. Using the entire length of the course (about 100 feet by 66 feet), paddlers battle aggressively between goals, throwing and tossing the ball with their hands or paddle blades. Players can block each other physically with their boats, ride up over bow or stern, or push each other over in their quest to take possession of ball. Goals are made or blocked depending on the skill of goalie using their upright paddle blade to knock the ball away from the suspended square goal. Each half is ten minutes long and play is fierce and fast. The most skilled players have a bomb-proof roll, employ incredible bracing skills, and can accurately toss or block the ball using just their paddle blades.

This past year, a dedicated outdoor course for the polo team this year was created by Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation and the McDowell Nature Center and Preserve on Lake Wylie. Floating goals were designed and built by Rick Garcia, who started the polo team several years ago. Players meet weekly to practice rolling, bracing, and scoring. Fitness is key because kayak polo is demanding. Upper body strength, core strength, paddling skills and quick thinking are all improved by playing this game.

With their organizing as a team, investing in regulation gear, and holding regular practices, several members of the Carolina Kayak Polo team have qualified to participate in the National Competition September 14 – 17 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Additionally, the team is sponsoring a Carolina Fall Tournament October 7 – 8 on Lake Wylie that has attracted 30-40 teams from the East Coast.

Interested in playing or just checking out the game? Regular practice is every Tuesday evening at Lake Wylie from 5 – 8 pm. The team will practice, play and hold tournaments at the outdoor course; winter practice and play will be held indoors at the Mecklenburg Aquatics Center. Visit the team’s website at www.carolinakayakpolo.org for more information.

Angie Mattson is a freelance adventure/travel writer who explores the Carolinas by boot, boat and bike. Contact her at amattson@carolina.rr.com.