[ukc-polo] RE: Possible new venue - kayak polo

Wed Feb 2 18:56:59 PST 2005

Bill,
        I'll do my best to answer your questions.  I'm not officially
affiliated with the UKC anymore, however, as I describe below, the UKC
probably wouldn't have much jurisdiction over this venue, if it all works
out.

>I'll check into costs of picking up a fleet of boats to rent to your group,
>but it would be a hefty investment for us so I'd like to get specs on boat
>type (model, features, etc) to see if the boats could be used in any of our
>other rental programs. Would they all have to be exactly the same ... or
>could you use some of our various instructional boats that we have in the
>shop already?

Polo boats are designed to very rigid standards and are horrible in any
other context.  Dagger and Eskimo both make plastic polo boats.  Although it
looks like the Dagger boat might be discontinued.  If someone does end up
buying a fleet, then half regular and half large sized boats would probably
work out the best.  These boats tend to run small (on volume).

>How often would the polo games happen? Do you have specific days and times
>that you play? Is there a league with a competition schedule?

We are currently scheduled to play every Tuesday at 5:45 PM.  There's isn't
an official league, however, there are a few groups that play in BC.  But we
don't always have enough people to play.  At minimum you need 4 people.

>Are non-UWKC members allowed to play?

Yes, anyone can play in the current game, however they can't use UKC gear.
If we moved to this venue, then being a member of the UKC would not really
have any meaning.

>Are the "official international" kayak polo rules enforced per your club
web
>site?
>(http://students.washington.edu/~ukc/polo/polorules.html)

Not 100%.  The differences mostly have to do with gear.  In the
international rules they have strict guidelines for gear.  However, the
people who play in our game have not purchased the official gear due to the
high cost versus their passion for the game.  Most of us play amateur level
or below and many play just for fun and exercise.  Also, we mainly
self-referee.  In official play, there is a dedicated ref.

>How many people usually show up -- and how many bring their own boats vs
how
>many would rent?

In the summer, we can have as many as 16.  On the other hand, we can have
less than 4 sometimes during the colder half of the year and therefore are
unable to play.  An official game has 10 players, I would not suggest
getting a fleet of more than 10 boats.

>Any particular boating gear that we should provide in the store for
purchase
>by UWKC members? wet suits, pfds, helmets, paddles, etc?

With regards to kayak polo, face guards would probably be the best thing to
store.  They are cheap and easy to inventory and cross into WW.  There are
paddles, pfds, and helmets that are made specifically for polo.  However, I
don't know if there is currently a big enough market in the Puget Sound to
warrant it.  However, if we could set this up right, then maybe the area
will explode.

>Does UWKC carry liability insurance for this activity? Don't know if this
is
>an issue for us if you're putting on the event, but if it's co-sponsored
>(UWKC and SRK) then we both will need to carry coverage.

The UKC currently doesn't "officially" sponsor the event.  This is a very
weak argument, but again we're just playing amateur level.  In more official
polo events, the easiest way is to make everyone become an ACA member, which
will provide the coverage.  This is usually implemented by having ACA
membership forms at the events for people who aren't already members.
However, this constraint might be an obstacle for making this work.

>As Eric suggested, let's continue this discussion. Maybe a get-together
soon
>to look over the venue in the daylight? Let me know what day and time is
>good for some of you to come check it out.

My suggestion would be to have a test game in front of your shop.  That way
you'll be able to see how the game is played (even play yourself, if you
want to) and the players can check out your location.  Not everyone was at
your pre-opening.

The main hindrance for kayak polo becoming a large sport in Seattle has to
do with the cold weather.  If we could find a pool that Olympic sized and
heated, then I believe normal ww and sea kayakers will play just to be in a
boat on a weekday in the winter.  When I was at your pre-opening, I noticed
a hockey rink in one of the warehouse buildings.  Are there any plans to put
a pool in one of those warehouses?

Thanks,
Eric

-----Original Message-----
From: ukc-polo-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:ukc-polo-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Seattle
Raft and Kayak
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 8:39 PM
To: Eric Bessette; Polo
Cc: Tim Leary
Subject: [ukc-polo] RE: Possible new venue - kayak polo

Hi all,

Yes we are pumped at the prospect of hosting UWKC polo events at our
location. FYI, here's the city's idea of how the beachfront will look after
the development is completed (end of 2005, they say)...

http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/parkspaces/spmp/documents/sepa%20Fig4.pdf
Our shop is located in the center of Bldg 11, right about where you see the
#4. Currently there is a 3'-high bulkhead along what will become the beach,
and access to the water is in the small bay at the top left of the picture,
about where the #10 is.

We'd be glad to hear any workable ideas about how this could benefit
everyone concerned. At our event a couple weeks ago we discussed offering
your group a place to store the goals, as well as some space for boats if
needed.

I have a couple of questions. OK, more than a couple --

I'll check into costs of picking up a fleet of boats to rent to your group,
but it would be a hefty investment for us so I'd like to get specs on boat
type (model, features, etc) to see if the boats could be used in any of our
other rental programs. Would they all have to be exactly the same ... or
could you use some of our various instructional boats that we have in the
shop already?

How often would the polo games happen? Do you have specific days and times
that you play? Is there a league with a competition schedule?

Are non-UWKC members allowed to play?

Are the "official international" kayak polo rules enforced per your club web
site?
(http://students.washington.edu/~ukc/polo/polorules.html)

How many people usually show up -- and how many bring their own boats vs how
many would rent?

Any particular boating gear that we should provide in the store for purchase
by UWKC members? wet suits, pfds, helmets, paddles, etc?

Does UWKC carry liability insurance for this activity? Don't know if this is
an issue for us if you're putting on the event, but if it's co-sponsored
(UWKC and SRK) then we both will need to carry coverage.

As Eric suggested, let's continue this discussion. Maybe a get-together soon
to look over the venue in the daylight? Let me know what day and time is
good for some of you to come check it out.

Meanwhile, make sure the TWITCH V video West Coast premiere is on your
calendar, Friday March 11. http://www.teva.com/twitch.htm Your admission of
$5 is donated directly to American Whitewater's conservation and
river-access efforts in Western Washington, AND it's deducted from the price
of the video if you buy a copy on the night of the event.

Also, all you UW students, our raft-guide school is set for the week of your
Spring Break, Sunday 3/20 - Friday 3/25. A great way for you to spend your
break on the river. Call or email for more information.

Bill Walker
Seattle Raft and Kayak, LLC
paddlazz at comcast.net <mailto:paddlazz at comcast.net>
206-528-1700
206-940-6269 mobile

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Bessette [mailto:ebessette at 650dialup.com]
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 6:21 AM
To: Polo
Subject: Possible new venue

A week or two ago, Seattle Raft & Kayak had it's pre-grand opening.  In
addition to showing some video premiers they asked for the communities ideas
for how to best utilize the store.  They have a waterfront store on the
north side of Magnuson Park in Sandpoint.

Bill, the owner, gave an example that a regular polo game could be set up in
front of their shop.  Now, I don't know what he had in mind, but I can
imagine the shop buying a set of plastic polo boats and renting them out for
a couple a dollars an evening and possibly even storing the goals.  I'm just
theorizing here, but if anyone would like to talk to SRK about this
possibility, I've included Bill's contact info below.

Bill Walker
Seattle Raft and Kayak
paddlazz at comcast.net
206-528-1700

Thanks,
Eric

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