How's your goal frame looks like? Suggestion needed. Please~

[Vincent]

Hi guys and girls,

I need your suggestion on how to build the goal frame. We do not have a dedicated water area provided by the government and they do not allow us to setup the playground permanently. But we really want to play canoe-polo, so we are thinking about to build a mobile version. Sidelines should be no problem, but really have no idea how to build the goal frame that we can take it in and out of water easily.

Can you give me some idea or post the photos of how you goal frame look like?

Thanks a lot.

Vincent

[Aarne]

Hi,
This is a work in progres but still might be helpfull.

We have light weight goals for swimming hall training because we have to take them down after every training. They are made out of 50 mm pvc -pipe (usually used for sewers). The 90 degree bends are good for making corners and so far regular spray paint has stayd on the surface. You need to strenghten it up by corners. I put a 6 mm bolt through every place where two pipes were connected.

I also made foldable wooden racks for the goals. When they are put up they look like this:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/aarne.miettinen/SMjK6GzEDFI/AAAAAAAAAfM/MKygP_YhUuM/s800/maalikannake-viivapiirroksena.jpg
There is a big bucket of water working as a counter weight for the goal. The goal height is controlled with the length of the rope.

As I said, It´s a work in progress and next I need to figure out how to prevent the goal from swinging. It could be easy but I want to come up with a solution how to easily adjust it for different heights.

I should also mention that the 50 mm is inner diameter and in the rules it is said the frame should not be more than 50 mm.

[Aarne]

...and here´s a picture (thx JM) of the goals in action. Here you can see one of them hanging from wires.
http://merimelojat.sporttisaitti.com/jaokset/poolojaos/14657-768956.jpeg

[benwickland]

We just made a couple of these last summer.

Pros: Lightweight with no heavy parts to drop on your foot, 1 man setup and take down, collapses into just pipes, used in the sea, fits on the roof of your car, floats with no effort!

Cons: the parts are long, and waves from the side make it bob around a bunch

Cost was approx. $200 Cdn.

I can put up a parts list and instructions if you like.

Cheers,

Ben

[Vincent]

Thanks a lot Aarne and Ben~ These designs are very impressive. I will try to get my hands on making one. I think I should try the structure one Ben suggested, looks very clean~ and, the try water bucket or barrel attached should help stablize the goal frame in water.

[Aarne]

Very impressive-looking goal, Ben. Is the goal-frame rigid or can it swing back and forth? We have the swinging-problem and I´m hoping to find an easy solution for it.

For everybody thinking of making goals based on these instructions, please note that my design is meant to be on the side of a pool or on top of a pier wheras Bens design floats.

[benwickland]

The floating goal is not rigid. The pontoons can move somewhat independently of one another. When a wave comes in, the net bobs side to side. So it doesn't work so well in high wind and high waves - but then polo is a problem in those conditions.

A good system of anchoring is essential with any floating goal system. We use a single rope parallel with the goal line, with anchors at approximately the pitch corners. To set up, the anchors are placed first, and the net is moved into the correct position and tied (need floating rope for this). For heavy wind, anchors have to go into the wind. Tide also requires re-adjustment, depending on bottom slope and length of practices.

Net swing is an issue - this can be a problem in wind, and for keepers who like to move the net.

The other issue is: use stainless steel parts.

Our club has tried other designs including large foam blocks as pontoons, triangular wooden bases. The one posted here is design number 3 or 4 for our club, and seems the best so far - the key advantages are that it is minimalist (not heavy and materials cost less), has good stability even when compared to heavier designs, puts up and takes down quick.

Cheers,

Ben

[Patrick]

Hey Ben,

How are you?

Might you have any other images of your goal design? Our club is getting ready to built a set of traveling goals and your design might suit our needs.

Thanks,

[benwickland]

Hey Patrick,

File size is bigger than the 100 kb allowed on this site.

I sent it to Sergey - ask him or send me a pm with an email address.

Cheers,

Ben

[TheMasterG]

If you want to send it onto me I can upload it to the downloads section (http://www.canoepolo.com/downloads) of the site, PM me for my email address if you want to do this :)

[TheMasterG]

Instructions now available in the downloads section.

[Vincent]

:wavey:Hi guys~ Thanks a lot for your great input.

We've finally done two goal frames for our match last week.
Though kindof rough and un-professional, low and looks dangerous....

Anyway, the match had been a great success and we are looking forward for more matches next year. And hopefully we can make the goal better. :wavey: