Vancouver Vipers Water Polo Club

The club's official name is the Vancouver Vipers Water Polo Club (formerly the Vancouver Vikings Water Polo Club).

 

The club's goals are to:

  • introduce young athletes to the game of water polo,
  • teach them the skills required for playing the game of water polo, and encourage each athlete to attain his or her own personal best achievement in a fun and friendly environment.

 

The Vancouver Water Polo Club provides the opportunity for the youth of Vancouver to play water polo on both a recreational and competitive basis. The club is a non-profit, parent-run, water polo club.

 

Our executive and coaches have a long history of dedication to and involvement in the sport at numerous levels.  We all love the sport and want to ensure that anyone who wishes to learn and/or play the sport is able to do so.

 

The club is affiliated with the BC Summer Swimming Association (BCSSA) for summer play and the Lower Mainland Water Polo League (LMWPL) for winter play.

 

The Vancouver Vipers Water Polo Club is incorporated under the Societies Act of the Province of British Columbia and governed by a set of bylaws.

 

Our club has operated the winter and spring portions of the kids' water polo program in Vancouver for years.

 

Previously during the summers, our water polo club (the Vancouver Vikings Water Polo Club) was informally affiliated with the Vancouver Vikings Summer Swim Club.

 

The decision to dissociate from the Vancouver Vikings Summer Swim Club was undertaken as water polo no longer fit with the swim club's plans, and it was felt that a concentration on the sport could be better achieved as a stand-alone entity.

 

Water Polo Rules 101

Each team has 6 players plus a goalie in the water. Only the goalie may touch the ball with both hands.

 

This is a co-ed sport. During the summer season in the BCSSA league, you must have a minimum of 3 boys/girls in the water at all times.  During the winter seaon in the LMWPL, you must have a minimum of 2 boys/girls in the water at all times.

 

At the start of each quarter, the teams line up at opposite ends of the pool, and a "swim-off" for the ball takes place.

 

Players move the ball by passing (a one hand throw), or swimming with the ball. The team has 30 seconds to shoot the ball or lose possession.

 

Many fouls occur as the opposing team tries to win the ball. The player loses possession by:

  • standing on the bottom with the ball;
  • touching it with both hand; or
  • holding the ball underwater.

It is illegal to impede an opponent unless he or she is holding the ball.

 

Time: Usually 4 seven-minute quarters with 2 minute intervals.

 

To score a goal, the ball must pass fully over the goal line.