CANOE polo is an exciting, fast-paced and rather rough game played in short manoeuvrable boats in a set field of space on the water.
Paddlers wear full face helmet tackle for protection.
Gauteng selected a number of teams, besides the main A and B teams, to represent the province at the inter-provincial SA Canoe Polo Championships at Shongweni Dam earlier in April. Although KwaZulu-Natal headed up the scoresheet, the Gauteng U/21 teams dominated their age groups and fought back bravely in all the divisions.
A number of sea scout groups have taken up the sport to complement the rowing, canoeing and sailing activities as a team sport. The teams practise at Homestead Dam in Benoni where the 1st Benoni Scouts are situated.
Gauteng is determined to grow the sport in the province under the guidance and leadership of Chris de Bree. An extremely young squad represented Gauteng in the U/16 development division of the competition. Although playing against much bigger and physically stronger paddlers, the young team managed a respectable third place.
