News

MADISON, WI - My two teammates and I sit on our goal line waiting for the winners bracket final to start at the 2010 North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships (NAHBPC) in Madison, Wisconsin. It’s hot and humid, typical summer weather in the Midwest, a shock to the system for a team who travels from more temperate Vancouver. My East Van Bike Polo teammates and I exchange words of encouragement before the Referee yells “three, two, one, polo” and all six players sprint into action for the next 20 minutes.

Hardcourt Bike Polo was developed in Seattle about a decade ago. It is related to horse polo and grass bike polo but unique to the urban environment. Games require bikes, traffic cones for goals, a street hockey ball, mallets and some friends to play with. Mallets are typically customized for each player and made from a ski pole with a piece of two-inches in diameter plumbing or gas piping attached. Games are generally played on tennis courts, lacrosse boxes, hockey rinks or even just empty parking lots.

Sunday, July 18, the final day of the NAHBPC, which started on July 16, is a test of endurance and nerves. The tournament is double elimination. If you win the winners bracket you have a good chance of winning the tournament because you would otherwise need to lose twice in the final – something that’s not unheard of, but is rare. We are playing an all-star team called “the Odds” from three different cities in the Eastern United States. I think the teams are evenly matched. We’ve all played each at past tournaments and we know there are few weaknesses. After some conscious play, my team gets a couple of quick goals. Before I know it, East Van is leading 4 – 1. We need to keep the pressure on, but maybe we can win.

The NAHBPC is in its second year as an independent entity. Bike polo used to be part of cycle messenger events, but with its growing popularity, bike polo separated to become its own championship in 2009. The 2010 championships attracted 64 teams from all over the United States and Canada. The dedicated volunteers from Madison Bike Polo and the title sponsor Trek built six courts, supplied food and organized parties and a huge number of games for participants. Everyone’s favorite team to watch is from Phoenix and includes teenagers AJ and Jacob. These amazing players are half the size of everyone on the court, but are continually schooling their opponents to the ruckus cheers of the spectators.

I hear the shrill blow of a whistle. The referee has his hand up and is pointing at me. This will be my first penalty of the tournament and East Van will play two on three for the next 30 seconds. Up until this tournament I’ve never played with referees with the power to give penalties. Timed penalties are a big change that has come into the game this year. Another East Van penalty shifts the momentum as the score moves to 4 – 3.