Come, and try canoe polo
New Adaptive Kayaking Clinic Coming
The Saskatoon Gophers Canoe Polo Club has been approved for funding from SaskSport and Sask Lotteries to host an adaptive kayaking clinic during the 2025-2026 season to introduce participants to kayaking and later on also to canoe polo.
Program Information (3-part series)
Participants will learn the fundamentals of paddling and safety techniques related to kayaking in an adaptive and safe environment. This pilot project will focus on introductory skills.
Under the supervision of lifeguards and our kayaking instructors, participants will use an adaptive (wide) canoe polo kayak for extra stability and learn how to safely enter the boat from the pool deck. We will progress from shallow waters to deeper waters in the pool at the participants comfort level. Throughout the course, participants progress from boat entries and wet-exists to various paddling techniques for efficient propulsion. Depending on the comfort of the participants, we will also cover applicable rescue techniques and introductory ball handling skills for canoe polo.
Dates: October 26, November 2, November 16
Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: University of Saskatchewan PAC Pool, 87 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B2
Price: $30
Limit: 5 athletes
Target Audience: Athletes with cognitive or physical disability, athletes with vision or hearing impairment
Please register for this program through the RAMP portal – available under Camps and Clinics.
Program Information (2-part series)
This program is the continuation of the first adaptive kayaking program. Participants will learn the fundamentals of paddling and safety techniques related to kayaking in an adaptive and safe environment, with a stronger focus on canoe polo.
Under the supervision of lifeguards and our kayaking instructors, participants will use an adaptive (wide) canoe polo kayak for extra stability and learn introductory ball handling skills for canoe polo.
Athletes that were unable able to attend the previous program are welcome to attend this clinic.
Day 1: February 8th, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Day 2: March 8th, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: University of Saskatchewan PAC Pool, 87 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B2
Price: $20
Limit: 5 athletes
Target Audience: Athletes with cognitive or physical disability, athletes with vision or hearing impairment
Sign-up will be available in January 2026
Gophers participate in first Island Cup
This year, the canoe polo community had a new tournament penciled into the competition calendar. Our friends from the VIKP Vancouver Island Canoe Polo Club organized the first Island Cup at Camp Thunderbird near Sooke, BC.
The Gophers sent athletes to participate at this tournament who all came back stoked about the experience. We had a great weekend participating at a development tournament for all ages, enjoying camp food, sitting by the fire, and playing glow-stick polo after dark.
Saskatoon Gophers Annual General Meeting
The Annual General meeting took place March 16th, 2025 where the current Board of Directors updated on the state of the organization since incorporation in June of 2024.
As the organization was led by an interim Board of Directors since incorporation, a new board was voted in by the membership for the duration of two years. The new board of directors are: Patrick Braun, Kendra Worman, Lakai Madsen.
Saskatoon Gophers in Edmonton for COTN 2025
The Saskatoon team, once again, participated in the Cup of the North tournament in Edmonton taking place February 7th to the 9th. Missing a few key-players, the Gophers got relegated to C division after the first day where the team was able to secure second place after a hard-fought but lost gold medal game. On a different note: the team felt amazing showing off their newly ordered and overhauled Gophers PFDs featuring iconic Saskatchewan landmarks.
Congratulations to the athletes – especially those who were able to celebrate their debut at an international canoe polo competition. Special thanks to Brad for playing with us and EWP for hosting an awesome event.
Winter 2025 – Open House
The Saskatoon Gophers hosted an open house at the PAC pool on January 26th, 2025 for people interested in the sport of canoe polo. After learning about fundamental skills and working their way through some drills, participants were able to partake in a scrimmage afterwards.
Stay tuned for our next open house and learn-to clinics in the Fall!
Saskatoon Gophers participate at Canadian Canoe Polo Club Nationals in Edmonton
The Saskatoon Gophers sent a team to compete at the Canadian National Canoe Polo Championship in Edmonton. While the event was smaller than originally anticipated and our Gophers had to face tough competition in the only adult open division, the team enjoyed to play some awesome polo and meet with friends. After a tough first day without wins, the Gophers came together and won their final round-robin game against Wapiti. After round-robin, the Gophers barely lost a three-way comparison to play for third place and was facing VIKP to compete for place five instead. During an intense game, the Gophers were able to dominate over VIKP and earned Fifth place. We are happy that Scott joined our squat for the weekend and welcome Alicia as Saskatoon Gopher. After playing polo for less than half a year, she committed to come out for the tournament and embraced the experience, finishing strong with her first competition goal against VIKP.
Gophers are back at Cup of the North – and win second place in Div B
Congratulations to the Saskatoon Gophers for winning second place in the Cup of the North B-division in 2024. Great to see everybody playing and being able to send a Saskatoon team again. Special thanks to Adam for playing with us.
After a successful first day, the Gophers were facing their toughest opponent on Sunday morning (VIKP) and despite the game being a close call, had to surrender and finished second after the round-robin. The Gophers then beat the Crunch 2.0 in their playoff game and were facing VIKP again in the final. After a hard fought 20 minutes with VIKP shutting down almost all of the Gophers scoring attempts, VIKP beat the Gophers again. Congratulations to our friends from Victoria for a well earned gold medal. We had so much fun!
