It will be "fast-paced and fun" when the newly formed Sunshine Coast Water Polo Club holds its first session on Tuesday, March 30 in what members hope will be the beginning of a new sport on the Coast.
Club organizer Darren Molder said the weekly sessions will be adult co-ed and recreational, consisting of mostly scrimmages with some skill development.
"For now it will be a chance to improve skills and fitness, but with enough interest, the group might someday form a team to attend the odd game in the Lower Mainland or Powell River," said Molder. "We know there are a lot of swimmers on the Coast and many have played water polo before, so we're trying to bring them together one night a week to throw the ball around and have some fun."
Molder used to play water polo in Vancouver before he moved to the Coast a few years ago. It wasn't until he ran into another player at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre who used to play in the same Vancouver league that plans began to form for starting a club here.
"There's been an informal club in Powell River for years. They get together one night a week for a good workout, and it just seemed like an ideal time to try to get something going here," he said.
Teams consist of six players and a goalie. Game play involves swimming, players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a net defended by a goalie. The sport has strong similarities to the land-based game of team handball, but is often compared to ice hockey for its use of penalty "power play" situations.
The sessions will run every Tuesday night starting March 30 at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. and will be oriented toward beginners (ages 16 and up) with moderate swimming skills. For now the club will be run as a regular program out of the Aquatic Centre, but if they get enough members, the group hopes to form a club and operate with their own pool time. Interested parties are urged to sign up at any Sunshine Coast Regional District recreational facility or by phone at 604-885-6801. For more information, call club president Brian Lee at 604-883-0770.
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