Could canoe polo be the next sport for Johannesburg teens?
From paddling and scoring goals to building friendships, Dabulamanzi Canoe Club is welcoming young beginners to try a team sport with a difference.
Canoe polo takes action onto the water, combining paddling, passing, and scoring goals in a fast-paced team sport.
At Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, teenagers aged 12 and older can give the unusual sport a try, even if they have never paddled before. For 18-year-old Albert Strydom, a matric learner at Hoërskool Linden, his journey began in Grade 8 when a coach introduced the sport at his sister’s school. “We came to play and then just stayed from there,” he said.
Although learning to paddle while keeping the ball close was initially challenging, Strydom said the people around him made the experience worthwhile. “The community — it’s one of the best communities I’ve seen,” he said.
Read more: Water lovers discover canoe polo at Dabulamanzi open day
Players might battle it out on the water, but the friendships continue on land, where club members enjoy social gatherings and braais, particularly during tournaments.
Elna Betz, an Adrenaline Coaching development coach who also coaches the South African women’s U21 team, said the social side of canoe polo is a big drawcard for teenagers. “You spend two or three hours doing sport, but it feels more like you’re just playing,” she said.
Betz said the sport also helps young people build confidence as they learn new skills, from passing and shooting to manoeuvring their boats and mastering the Eskimo roll, which allows paddlers to right themselves after capsizing.
Also read: Kayla Szalay chases Olympic canoeing dream
She has seen shy players grow more confident through the supportive, community-based environment. For newcomers who feel intimidated by the prospect of capsizing, Betz said having patient coaches and supportive teammates makes a difference.
The club offers dedicated beginner sessions, with coaching that focuses on building basic skills. Players can also choose how involved they want to be, whether they prefer a relaxed social activity or want to progress towards competitive play.
Canoe polo players can take part in interclub competitions, South African championships and, for those who progress further, international events. Strydom’s advice to teenagers considering the sport is to give it a chance. “Even if you’re not good, we’ll have a team for you and you’ll enjoy just playing the game.”
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates!
