What is Canoe Polo?

Canoe Polo is a fast and exciting team ball sport played in teams of five at a social and competitive level in Canberra. Polo utilises kayaking, paddle and ball skills, and is particularly suitable for those with a paddling, ball or contact sport background. 

Canoe Polo is played on a 35 m x 23 m field set up in a swimming pool or on flat stretches of water. Teams of five paddlers endeavour to score goals in a net suspended two metres above the water, the ball being thrown by hand, or 'flicked' with the paddle. Games are played in two halves of 10 minutes. Canberra players compete in both social and competitive competitions across Australia and internationally. Burley Griffin Canoe Club has had a large number of players that have represented Australia at Oceania and World Championships. In addition, BGCC has won several National Championship titles in the Women’s division, as well as an inaugural Open division win in 2022.

Games and Training

During daylight savings, weekly games are played at Molonglo Reach, whereas the winter season is played at Lakeside Leisure Centre, Tuggeranong. Saturday B Grade Trainings are at Molonglo Reach year round at 10am. Sessions are coordinated via the Spond app.

Getting involved

To enquire about trying Canoe Polo, please contact the club convener - Laura Kleinrahm via the website. 

What to bring: Bathers, tee-shirt and shorts/ thermals in cooler weather, towel and dry change of clothes. PFD, kayak, paddle, deck and helmet provided. Be prepared to get wet! The club has hot showers and kitchen facilities available. 

Cost: $30 for a triallist membership through JustGo. This is then deducted from new memberships. $10 per night for non-members at pool nights. 

Further information on membership costs can be found on the membership page. Further information can also be found on the Canoe Polo ACT Facebook page 

Spectators are welcome to attend the Summer Series #4 Event at Molonglo Reach. Information can be found here. 

Upcoming Events 

• 21-22/01/23 - Summer Series #3, Mawson Lakes, SA 

• 21-22/01/23 - Quarry Comp, Auckland, NZ

• 11-12/02/23 - Nagambie Cup, Nagambie, VIC (regional)

• 25-26/02/23 - Summer Series #4, Molonglo Reach, ACT 

• 18/03/23* (tentative) - Mudcake Challenge, Nowra, NSW (regional) 

• 7-9/04/23 - Paddle Australia National Championships, Ballarat, VIC 

• 10-11/06/23 - The Nambucca Header, Nambucca Heads