3. KAYAKS

The kayaks have a length of no more than 3 meters and no less than 2 meters. The width is between 50-60 cm. The kayak must have its ends in plan, a curve not less than 10 cm radius at any point. Many members play in kayaks built for whitewater since few plastic kayaks are available at this time. Typical kayak boats used are: Dagger RPMs or Redlines, Perception Whip-it and Whiplash, Prijon Fly, Pyranah Micro-Bat and RX-300, New Wave Sleek, Wave Sport X and Y, etc. Plastic Polo boats are available through Dagger, or Eskimo.

4. PADDLES

The blades can be no more than 50 cm x 25 cm in plan no with no part of the edge less than 3 cm radius in plan. Paddle must not have any sharp projections or any other dangerous feature. Any sharp edges must be taped over. Unless you purchase a Polo paddle, a whitewater paddle can be made safer (and closer to 3mm thick) by placing Rim Rubber (available from paddling stores) or regular car door trim molding (available from any auto parts store) to the edge of the paddle. In addition, you may need to use duct tape to have these rim edges stay on and expose no sharp edges.

5. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

All the players must wear all the protection equipment, this includes the helmet (a facemask mandatory since the most common polo injury is a broken nose or split lip. Hockey masks work well or polo masks if obtainable, a PFD (Kayak Polo pfd's are preferable since the have thicker padding and kidney padding; however, a whitewater PFD is adequate) and a sprayskirt.

6. KAYAK POLO RULES (Summary Version)

6.1. Each team consists of up to eight players, but only five are allowed on the court at any time. Substitutions can be made at any time, even during play.

6.2. There are four referees: First Referee and Second Referee, and two Goal Linesman; as well as a timekeeper and a scorekeeper.

6.3. The game is played in two ten minutes halves with three minutes in between.

6.4. The ball may be played with the hands or the paddle, except it that cannot be struck (like hitting a baseball) nor held with the hands for more than 5 seconds.

6.5. Possession of the ball is when the player can reach the ball with his or her hands.

6.6. When players are in possession of the ball they may be either hand tackled (pushed with one hand on their shoulder) or kayak tackled (the attacking boat pushes their boats). Except the goalkeeper who can never be touched even indirectly. A goal keeper is the person under the goal who has their paddle extended vertically from their boat guarding the goal cage.

6.7. After a goal is scored, the ball is started from the center.

6.8. When a foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting, a goal-penalty-shot is awarded. It must be taken from 6 meter line at an undefended goal. All other players must be behind the half-court line.

6.9. The ball is not allowed to rest on the kayak (i.e. you can't paddle with it sitting on your sprayskirt).

6.10. It is not permitted to hit an opponents body with the paddle, your boat at any time.

6.11. There are different kinds of sanctions:

Green Card – Warning

Yellow Card - 2 minutes suspension

Red Card – Suspension for rest of game

Hold Card above head. Other arm pointing to player. If necessary, indicate number of player with fingers. Use clenched fist to indicate ten where a number 10 or larger is required.

6.12. At the start of the game and at the start of the second half, each team lines up on its own goal line and the referee throws the ball into the center of playing area. One player from each team charges for the ball to gain possession of the ball.

6.13. It is considered unsportsmanlike behavior to: holding or moving another player's paddle out of his reach, or deliberately preventing the player from regaining possession of the paddle. Throwing the ball away, or deliberately obstructing the opposition, to delay a quick restart after an infringement.

7. BASIC TACTICS

Defensively teams will general employ a goalkeeper, who defends the goal with his or her paddle, but once a team has gained possession five players will move up the playing area to attack.

If a team loses possession in this vulnerable position this leaves the goal undefended and gives rise to goals being scored very fast.

Alternating teams may employ a man to man marking system, known as "5-out", as the name implies the team has no goal keeper and possession tends to change from one team to the other very quickly, giving some very exciting moments.