Just when you thought the sport of stand up paddle boarding could not be any more fun and creative is when it gives birth to SUP-Polo and SUP specific polo products thanks to Starboard SUP. The sky is the limit for SUP and its activities, games and races that bring people together all over the world and now another step towards something new and exciting. At first there was a board and a paddle, the first paddle races, then yoga on the boards, then SUP-Cross and now SUP-Polo.
Canoe Polo or Kayak Polo. Photo Cred: Scot Goodman, usakayakpolo.com
While the sport is not completely fresh it might even be more thrilling than the international sport of canoe polo. Kayak polo, also know as canoe polo is a mix between water polo, basketball and hockey; SUP Polo on the other hand, "is basically a mix between water polo and lacrosse while being on sup boards" according to Connor Baxter who recently participated in one of the sports first exhibition matches.
What's also great according to Connor is that "you can do sup polo anytime and anywhere all you need is water and 6 people." Yep, water, 6 people and some great new innovative products thanks to Starboard SUP including the easy set-up polo field with hockey/lacrosse size goals, a Starboard SUP Polo paddle and the new Astro SUP Polo inflatable board- the Astro Zen.
The Astro SUP model board is basically your Dan Gavere Astro Stream, one of the top inflatable/whitewater boards that has been re-designed and specialized to be multi directional. According to star-board-sup.com the Astro SUP Polo is 9'5, so it's short enough in length for the small 3 on 3 "water-field" and at 36" wide you have plenty of stability. "With SUP Polo, the situation can change very quickly, thus the board is designed with Twin Tip to be able to reverse in a glimpse without making risky snap turns. A set of 2 white water fins are added nose and tail to give enough tracking in both directions while still maintaining great control of the board."
The new SUP Polo Astro Zen featuring a twin tip and two nose fins
Photo courtesy of supradioshow.com
Stay tuned for more exciting SUP Polo action and maybe even a game near you.
"I would give sup polo a try because it's a great work out, it's a lot of fun, anyone can do it and it can help with your all around sup skills. It's fun, anyone can participate and it's easy to set up anywhere."
-Connor Baxter
Starboard Team Rider and World Champ