The winters in Alberta are long and cold. Although Open Session is a great way to get in your boat and practice skills, a little more excitement is sometimes called for. For polo enthusiasts looking for a structured game following all of the ICF rules, this is not it. Check out our friends at the Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers instead who run the country’s top canoe polo program.

Here at UAPS, we use whitewater boats instead of polo boats, and implement the following house rules:  

• Each player on the water must wear a helmet with a facemask
• Paddles must not be used to contact other players, or be used in any way that endanger other players
• After a goal is scored, the team that scored the goal must return to their own half as quickly as possible, at which point play can restart
• A player must not manoeuvre their kayak with their hands or paddle while the ball is resting on their spray deck
• Players must be careful not to T-bone other players