8th @ 8

[Roberto]

A bit of news for Canada Polo players and those who read these pages.

The Eight World Canoe Polo Championships to be held in 2008 have been awarded, and will be hosted in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada from Aug 18-24th.

Congratulations to the all the people who put this fine bid together. Some of whom are:
- Darryl O'Brien
- Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers
- Edmonton Tourism
- Canadian Canoe Polo Committee
- Canada Canoe Association

We look forward to hosting a fantastic event.
Best Regards,
Rob Kerestes
Chairman Canada Canoe Polo Commitee

[sp_edey]

Man-I hope I own a house in Edmonton by then. I'm going to throw the biggest after party :hump: Hopefully I'll make the team first though

[tyler]

dude, even if Idon't make the team Cottonwood's gona have the most exelent pre-worlds tournament in the history of ever. :headbang:

[Roberto]

Here is the text of the press release issued by Darryl O'Brien:


NEWS RELEASE Nov. 13, 2003

Edmonton to host 2008 World Canoe Polo Championships

An estimated 2,000 canoe polo participants, officials and fans will converge on Edmonton Aug. 18-24, 2008 for the 2008 World Canoe Polo Championships. The International Canoe Federation in Madrid, Spain awarded the premier canoe polo event in the world to the Canadian Canoe Association and Edmonton on Oct. 22, 2003.

“This events attracts the highest level of competition in the sport today and we’re proud to host it right here in Edmonton,” says Darryl O’Brien, past National Team member and Chairman of the Hosting Committee. “It’s also the first time the world championships will be held in North America.”

Edmonton Tourism estimates the event will generate a minimum of $600,000 in economic expenditures. This conservative estimate does include the expenditures generated in the province because of international visitors for the event taking more time before and after the games to travel within the province.

“Hosting this event is another demonstration of Edmonton’s sterling reputation for successfully hosting major international events,” says Ken Fiske, Vice-President, Tourism, Events and Motion Pictures, Economic Development Edmonton (EDE).

Kinsmen Aquatic Centre, a world-class aquatic facility, will serve as the venue for the final playdowns of the championship, while the preliminary rounds would be played on four competition pitches, set up outdoors on the lake at Hawrelak Park.

What is canoe polo?

Canoe polo (the international designation) is a team sport involving five to eight players on each side. The playing area, or pitch, measures 35 metres by 25 metres. Only five players per team are allowed on the pitch at one time. The sport is played in three-metre long, specially designed kayaks and involves the two teams competing for a standard water polo ball.

The object of the game is for one team to win possession of the ball and then score on their opponent’s goal, located two metres above the water and measuring 1.5 metres wide by 1.0 metres in height. The ball can be moved up the pitch by passing to other players on the same team or “dribbling” the ball (which involves throwing it ahead of the kayak, paddling to it and throwing it forward again).

About 30 countries are expected to attend the 2008 World Canoe Polo Championships to compete in four divisions: men, women, under 21 men and under 21 women.
For more information, contact:

Darryl O’Brien
Hosting Committee (Chair)
Cell: (780) 982-1250
dwobrien@telusplanet.net

[sp_edey]

dude, even if Idon't make the team Cottonwood's gona have the most exelent pre-worlds tournament in the history of ever. :headbang:Yeah, GP's in gonna be awesome too! WAHOOO!!!!!

[Monica]

Yeah, so...can we start making dibs on housing? :) I am just trying to reserve my space here...



Yeah, GP's in gonna be awesome too! WAHOOO!!!!!

[sp_edey]

I wonder if I'm going to live in Etown by then? I imagine I will. I'm sure that won't be a problem Monica.

[tyler]

I just realised how far away four years is.. I'll probably be dead by then:thumbdown

[sp_edey]

I bet I die before you

[tyler]

well, thats kind of win win. Either I win and owe you nothing, or you die and are unable to hastle me losing;)

[sp_edey]

Touche:rolleyes: