Canoe Polo Team Making Waves

Ōtaki College Canoe Polo Team Making Waves

Did you know there’s a sport where you play basketball in kayaks? It’s called canoe polo, and it’s fast, exciting, and super fun! Teams of five paddle around in a pool, passing a ball and trying to score by throwing it into a goal hanging above the water. You can even tackle other players by smashing into their kayaks.Canoe polo is played all around the world, every second year New Zealand competes in Worlds. Last year our Paddle Ferns came home with gold!! Which we haven't done since 2016!

Ōtaki College has its very own combined canoe polo team, with two players from other schools joining in to help complete the squad.

In 2024, our junior team won Division 2 at the national schools competition, a massive win! In 2025, our senior team placed 6th in New Zealand, which is a huge achievement.

2024 & 2025 Team Line-up:

#1 – Kieran Butler - Ōtaki College

#2 – Lachie Roddick - Paraparaumu College

#3 – Bailey Johns - Ōtaki College

#4 – Jericho Housiaux - Ōtaki College

#5 – Finn Butler - Ōtaki College

#6 – Luke Schischka - Horowhenua College

Coach – Cam Butler

The team has trained hard, had heaps of fun, and shown great teamwork. If you love the water, enjoy a challenge, or want to try something new, give canoe polo a go!!!