Every Wednesday night a group of people, some veteran, some new, gather at Powell River Recreation Complex to play one of the hardest, fastest, most exhausting and, most importantly, fun, sports out there: water polo.
Water polo is a sport played widthwise in the deep end of the pool that sees two teams trying to score on each other by throwing a volleyball-sized ball into a net. It involves a lot of treading water, fast all-out sprints back and forth, a lot of sweat and more than a little roughhousing.
It may sound tough and exhausting, and it can be, but the group in Powell River is incredibly inclusive and the main goal is to get some exercise while having some fun. The games are open to both men and women, or girls and boys as there are usually a few children who come to play. New players are always welcome and will be given a quick explanation on rules and strategy. Time is sometimes taken before or during games to explain a rule or teach a new technique.
Mark Lawrence is one of the unofficial organizers of the games and provides a lot of tips and tricks to the group. He has been playing the sport for about 35 years, including six years full time and four years part time with the Canadian national team. He’s been playing in Powell River for 10 years and said he has stuck with the sport because of the exercise, the fun and the challenge.
The name “water polo” might sound innocuous to some but it consistently ranks high on lists of toughest sports in the world, including a list on the Bleacher Report, a sports media site, that ranked it number one, above boxing, football and hockey. The hardest part about it is endurance, as you are constantly either treading water or swimming, but skill and the physicality of the game add to its toughness.
“If you picture having an out-and-out swimming race combined with wrestling in deep water plus the tactical and technical things, it’s pretty difficult,” said Lawrence.
Playing the sport helps improve swimming ability as well as overall stamina. You may not realize how much you’re sweating because you’re in water, but see how long it takes you to climb out of the pool after your first time out and you’ll realize what a workout it is.
Water polo has been played since the 19th century and was among the first team sports to be played in the modern Olympics in 1900.
The group plays every Wednesday at 8:30 pm until the pool closes at 9:30 pm. Everyone is welcome on a drop-in basis, with no commitment required. Games typically don’t run in the summer. There is no cost other than for admission to the pool. Of-age members of the group routinely refresh after the game at a local bar, bringing a nice social aspect to the sport as well.
