Canoe Polo is an exciting team event played on 35m x 23m pitches set up in swimming pools or on flat stretches of water. Teams of 5 paddlers endeavour to score goals in a net suspended 2m above the water, the ball being thrown by hand, or ‘flicked’ with the paddle. Naturally, the team with the most goals at the end of the match wins the game.
Official ICF Rules
Australian Canoe Polo competitions are run according to ICF rules for Canoe Polo.
Download a copy from their website.
Rule modifications for the Melbourne Competition
Victorian Canoe Polo uses some minor modifications to the ICF rules for it’s regular season competitions. These include:
- No hand-tackles permitted in Novice grade
- End-line rather than centre-line restarts are used in A, B and C grades
- In all grades, a team may commence a game with only 4 players, rather than 5
Refereeing
Jen Stevens is the current Referees Director. Please direct any refereeing queries to her via the contacts form on the canoe polo home page.
The ICF has also created a great refereeing resource which you can access here.