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KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna Waterfront Challenge Canoe Polo Tournament held over the weekend made for some exciting action as players from around the country came together to take each other on in the ice cold waters of the Waterfront and entertain the crowd.
According to Iain Hanton of Knysna Canoe Polo the tournament kicked off to a crisp but perfect day for canoe polo on Saturday, July 15.
“We knew that the weather wasn't going to stay this good for Sunday so it was decided to make it a one day event. This called for a tight game schedule so all players from around the country where quickly split into teams for fair play,” said Hanton.
Hanton said that the result of this process was fierce dames and great team spirit, “with the Green Team emerging victorious in the end.”
What made this tournament even more exciting was the fact that four of the SA u/21 team, along with some seasoned masters attended the tournament.
“This made it obvious that we had to have a Youngsters versus Old Bullies game. Showing up the Old Bullies, the Youngsters won 5 – 3,” said Hanton.
The tournament ended off with a game between Cape Town’s and Knysna’s best, as has become the tradition according to Hanton. “This year Knysna destroyed Cape Town with a 7 – 4 win,” he added.
This game made it quite clear to the Knysna-Plett Herald that canoe polo is not for sissies. Players ram, shove and push each other. At times a player would almost end up on top of his opponent as they scrambled for the ball or a position in front of the goals, other players sometimes turned completely upside down as they struggled to maintain control of the ball.
The action definitely got the crowd biting nails and hanging on to the edge of their seat.
In closing, Hanton said that the event was a massive success and great fun. “We could not have done it without our sponsors namely: Knysna Waterfront for the venue and a substantial cash sponsor, Fluid Kayaks for not only great prizes but an unbelievable lucky draw prize, Ocean Odyssey and the Knysna Yacht Club.”
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ARTICLE: STEFAN GOOSEN, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
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