Canoe polo: Teen transitions from land to water

GOING PLACES: Milly Douglas is breaking down new barriers in the aquatic arena. PHOTO/Duncan Brown

With the ground under her feet, Milly Douglas was doing just fine in the sporting arena with her versatility in netball as a youngster.

But Douglas, who thrives at both ends of the court, wanted to be involved with something that was going to push her outside her comfort zone.

So seven years ago a videotape presentation on canoe polo in class caught the eye of the Havelock North Intermediate pupil.

"It was different. It was exciting, fast and it wasn't on land but water," says the now 17-year-old Douglas who had been flirting with swimming, albeit not competitively.

Canoe pole had an appeal but a degree of apprehensiveness had crept in when she went for her first experience at Clive pools.

Unlike other codes, there were no introductory lessons for beginners but straight into the deep end of a winter league competition with some spirited encouragement from her father, Brian, and mother Ione, who had no clues either.

"It was a little scary because I had no idea of what to except for seeing that video but from the minute I got into the boat I loved it," says the Year 13 Havelock North High School pupil who is competing as a Hawke's Bay A grade women's team member during the two-day Art Deco Canoe Polo Championship starting at Pandora Pond, Napier, from today.

During the initiation phase, Douglas found it frustrating she couldn't move fast enough in the canoe.

It came down to grasping the basics, such as how to hold the paddles correctly and how to turn the vessel when you are so little.

"They are quite tippy so you fall out and a thing that puts off quite a few people in the beginning because you're wearing a skirt," says Douglas although she didn't feel too ruffled because she had had some understanding on how to react when rolling.

But that was then and this is adventurous times now. The first-year A grader, after two years in B grade and a HNHS senior team member, will attend her third national trials in a fortnight.

It was during her first year at nationals, Year 10, that it dawned on her that she could make something of canoe polo.

Coach Phil Parry honed her skills from Year 9 but Kelly Hepburn also is her mentor at rep women's level although they are co-coaches at high school.

"They are stern but also make sure everyone's having a good time," says Douglas.

Reinforcement came through school tourneys, fortunately, through a wildcard entry before they went on to finish as runners-up at the high school nationals.

"The difference between regionals and nationals is big so you know how much you've improved."

Having a stronger constitution is vital to enable players to move with a burst in their boats from a stationary position.

Douglas, who also is versatile, spends about nine hours a week training on water.

She is looking forward to this weekend's tourney in the hope of not only facing world-class players but also learning by watching them.

Canoe polo also provides a good distraction for her from swotting while maintaining her fitness.