Five mixed teams of five players contested the two-day event, with ten aggressive tournament matches played before an animated crowd.
Although little known in South Africa, canoe polo is played at international level by more than 30 countries and draws a fanatical following across Europe, and festival goers at the waterfront were given a glimpse of exactly why that is. Skilled players, wearing protective clothing and helmets, made a range of spectacular moves, rolling and wrestling for the ball from their short, specially made kayaks. The result was a spray of action leading more than one observer to liken it to super rugby on water.
Leading the standings after the two days was Team Magnetic South, which accumulated an almost full house of 19 points after going unbeaten in the pool matches and picking up four bonus points. Team Obikwa Wines narrowly edged out Team Ultimate Cycles in the overall standings to earn a place in the final, banging home 12 goals in the penultimate game. Despite that big win Obikwa Wines went into the showdown against Magnetic South as the underdog, having been thrashed by the latter 7-1 in their pool encounter. Obikwa Wines rallied for the final match, showing resolute defence and, through tactically neutralising their more fancied opponents’ dangerous play-makers, they were able to launch some frenzied counter attacks and caused the upset of the tournament by taking the final 3-1.
The Knysna ladies and men’s A teams faced their Cape Town counterparts, but unfortunately for the home supporters, the shear class, experience and range of skills displayed by the Mother Cities' finest was too much for the Knysna Canoe Club rookies. Although neither team was embarrassed, some improvement will be needed before the Obikwa Trophy can be brought back to the local club house shelf.
\Photo: Elle Photography
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