Discover Canoe Polo
The UK is very popular on the Canoe Polo front with England, Wales and Ireland having won the world championships quite a few times. There are many local clubs playing for fun to improve their kayaking skills. Maldon Canoe Club formally known as MAD, have a Canoe Polo team in the National league (we have been playing for over 9 years).
Canoe Polo is a very high adrenaline filled contact sport which uses a low volume kayak with round ends at each end fitted with bumpers, no handles are fitted and boats vary in length with adult boats around 2.5 metres long. Players learn to improve, with the game similar to playing rugby but on water and having to also learn the skills of basketball. The game is played on a pitch of two sizes with the popular pitch size of 33M x 25M or smaller. (Or to fit inside of a swimming pool). At Division 1 & 2 the pitch is up to 50M x 35M.
This sport suits all genders who can play in mixed teams and suits all abilities and ages (though it’s important to have done your capsize drill first) – These boats do differ in shape and size which gives them all a very different experience on the water. They are easy to manoeuvre as well as an excellent boat to learn to roll in.
On the water, there are 5 players each side on the pitch with up to 3 players on the side lines allowed to rotate at any time to help keep the game moving at a face pace. The goals are 2M x 1.5M in size and are suspended or on floats with the bottom edge of the goal 2M above the water, so the goalie has to use his paddle to stop the ball. Within the rules but depending on level of ability, players can push players over in possession of the ball as well as use their boats to deflect other boats or assist in controlling the ball. The game has two referees with two main objectives; keep the game safe and fair. All the referees are highly respected and similar to rugby use 3 cards. Green – warning, Yellow – Sin binned & Red off for the rest of game and the next game. Even the coaches, trainers and spectators can be carded!
Canoe Polo is played from local club level having fun to playing for the UK squad playing in matches around the world against Europe, USA, Australia, etc.
Beginners generally start in a swimming pool to learn the basics and develop hand to hand ball skills before using a paddle.
Paddle locations
We play most of our tournaments in the comfort of swimming pools especially in the winter and in the summer use docks, lakes and recently we have Lee Valley White Water Centre literally on our door step with 2 standard pitches. The Club encourages local training sessions and has played regularly in Hull, Liverpool, Ireland, Wales and France.
Training / coaches
Maldon Canoe Club are fortunate to have a number of ICF & CE approved qualified coaches that are on hand to offer any support they can, so you can progress your development in your chosen area of canoeing/kayaking.
The club also has a trained coach and national grade 3 referee.
(There are fees applied for most courses, so please speak to one of our coaches, who will happily talk you through the details)
Canoe Polo awards
The Canoe Polo Awards are aimed at paddlers looking to develop their skills for a safe experience playing the sport.
Watch the video to find out more about British Canoeing Awards
Meet our coaches
Clive Marfleet
Level 3 Coach & LeaderLocal British Canoeing Canoe Organiser for Essex
Coach level 3, 4 star sea, whitewater and open canoe
Has completed 5 star training Sea and White Water.
Clive has been canoeing for over forty years has canoed all types of craft, he currently owns Slalom, whitewater, sea kayaks and open canoes.
Reached division 1 in slalom k1 div 2 in slalom C1 and div 3 in C2 was previous member of Maylandsea Scouts (the original MAD canoe club) and lives in Heybridge
Clive used to manage leisure centres before setting up his own first aid company.
Chris Davies
Level 3 Coach & LeaderCoach level 3, 4 star touring training completed
Chris has been canoeing for over forty years has canoed all types of craft currently owns open canoes as well as sea and whitewater kayaks. Runs Duke of Edinburgh courses for schools
Chris also achieved Div 2 in Slalom k1 and used to paddle to work before he moved to Burnham.
Mike Robards
Level 2 CoachMike has been paddling since 1985 with Tiptree Scouts, he holds the 4 star in kayak and 3 star in open canoe. Mike organises the Blackwater Tour - the only trip allowed on the River Blackwater each year, but does prefer whitewater to the flat stuff (don’t we all?)
Trevor Jones
Level 2 Coach & Leaderlevel 2 & 4 star white water
Trevor Jones is a level 2 coach and has been paddling since 1990 with the Scouts and a number of local clubs. He holds 4 star white water, 3 star award in open canoe, and also completed the 4 star sea training.
Robert Wilson
Level 1 CoachRob is a Level 1 coach and holds the 3 star whitewater and 3 star touring canoe/kayak awards, Rob has also completed his 4 star touring training and FSRT. He is also a national Canoe Polo organiser and grade 3 ref. Robert completed Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race in 2015.
Clint Gaydon
Level 1 CoachClint has been paddling since 1999 holds his 3 star in white water often joins Chris and Clive on the Wales trips recently purchased an open canoe and has also tried sea canoeing Clint has been an active member of the club since 2008 attended the camps and has helped at most of the Blackwater shows and pool sessions. Clint has also completed his 4 star touring leadership training and white water safety and training.
Paul Vincent
Level 2 Coach & LeaderPaul is a level 2 Coach and also holds the 4 star sea award, recently joined the club and has his own open canoe, sea kayak and touring kayak.
Jeff Toser - Honorary member
Level 3 CoachJeff is the local British Canoeing Organiser for Norfolk
He has been canoeing for over 30 years has canoed all types of craft currently owns Slalom whitewater and Sea Kayaks.
Jeff reached division 3 in slalom k1 div 3in slalom C2 with Clive at the front end of this double. He was a previous member of Maylandsea Scouts the original MAD canoe club and now lives in Watton Norfolk.
Paul Rollings
Paddlesports instructorPaul has completed his Paddlesports instructor, FSRT and First Aid. His main interest is touring, but enjoy Paul enjoys all forms of Paddlesports including stand up paddle board.
Keith Schrivener - Honorary member
Honoree memberFounder member of the original MAD canoe club and was the Maylandsea Scout leader who started and ran the County Scout canoe race for many years.
Keith achieved div 3 in Slalom and has competed in many Triathlons
And canoe races and if its mad he’s up for it.
Check out our Canoe Polo gallery
