Now canoe polo is making a splash in old mining area

Jan 30 2008 by Robin Turner, Western Mail

IT WAS once one of Wales’ most thriving industrial heartlands.

But the steep Neath and Afan valleys – known for their coal mining – are rapidly becoming an epicentre for something quite different – canoe polo.

The Afan Valley, high above Port Talbot, has already carved itself a reputation as a top mountain biking centre.

Now Resolven, set above neighbouring Neath, has become an important centre for the lesser-known but fast-growing sport of canoe polo.

Over the last four years the Resolven canal basin has become the major venue for the development of canoe polo in Wales.

Both the Welsh squad and a team based in Aberfan regularly train in the old canal which was built to carry wood and coal.

And like the breathtaking mountain bike trails of the Afan Valley – voted among the top 10 places to cycle before you die by What Mountain Bike magazine – Resolven is also attracting office workers from cities like London and Birmingham who want to escape their congested streets on weekends.

As well as providing regular training for the Welsh squad and Aberfan, the Resolven Canal has also hosted competitions and one-off matches for Britain’s growing band of canoe polo enthusiasts.

A Neath Port Talbot Council spokeswoman said yesterday, “Players flock to the canal basin for training sessions because it is a perfect venue.

“The enthusiasts are also able to practice paddling at speed in the canal itself which feeds into the basin.”

Canoe polo was originally developed to help improve canoeists’ skills.

As far back as 1895 Punch magazine carried a woodcut impression of people in the Thames lashing out at a ball with double-bladed paddles.

It has since evolved into an official sport in its own right and in the UK it was first showcased at Crystal Palace in 1970.

The German Canoe Federation organised “Kanupolo” contests in the 1930s to improve people’s health.

In the modern version of the game (with rules enforced by the International Canoe Federation) two teams of five aim to score in goals suspended 2m above the water.

Pushing, shoving and even capsizing an opponents’ boat is allowed.

The 20-strong Welsh squad meet at least once a week in all weathers and during winter months set up floodlighting so practice sessions can go ahead at night.

The Welsh Canoe Association’s Tony Griffiths said they had searched right across South Wales for a suitable venue, but nowhere matched Resolven Basin for canoe polo.

Neath Port Talbot Council leader Derek Vaughan said, “The regeneration of the Neath Canal has been a feature of Neath Port Talbot Council’s plans to develop communities and attract tourists to the area.

“The use of the basin for canoe polo helps maintain it as an attraction for everyone and provides entertainment during practice sessions and competition.

“The development of the canal is important to the future of the area and I am delighted it is also playing a role in developing sport in this part of Wales.

“The Resolven stretch of the canal is a major attraction and we look forward to further developments in the future.”

Canoe polo is one of the fastest-growing sports in Wales and the country has a growing reputation for its determination and expertise.

In 2005 the British team were world champions and four members of the team were Welsh.

In 2007 the men’s squad won the Irish Open Division Three Championships and the women’s team came second to the Americans in their section.