Polo Pitch Motivation

Response to the complaint, from the Emmarentia residents, concerning the canoe polo playing area, written as a letter to the Northcliff Melville Times by Jay Hyde, the Dabulamanzi Canoe Polo Chairman:

Mr Jacques Clifford
News Editor
Northcliff Melville Times

Dear Sir

Re: Dabs Playground

Thank you for the opportunity to respond. 

The structure under discussion here is a floating jetty that is used all over the world and is internationally considered to be most environmentally friendly. 

At Dabulamanzi Canoe Club we are using the floating jetty to bound the international canoe polo playing field we are creating.  Canoe polo is internationally recognised as the best way in which to get aspiring canoeists/ kayakers water safe and it is becoming an increasingly popular sport worldwide.

Dabulmanzi Canoe Club, and the Gauteng Canoe Union, have recognised this and have decided to promote this exciting water sport across the entire community.  To do so we have approached the Lotto for funds to assist us with the project, and they have graciously supported us.  This means that we are able to now invite anyone interested in playing to come and try the game out, without needing to buy any equipment for themselves.  We are also starting school teams, and other canoe clubs are starting their own teams.  With such development and foresight canoe polo will soon be a well known sport and the stepping stone for our athletes to compete in the Olympic canoeing disciplines.
The jetty system has been purchased in order to formalize and neaten the playing field, and the pictures speak for themselves; the jetty is aesthetically pleasing and certainly neatens the playing area.  It will also allow us to build proper goals that are in line with the clean and professional looks that we strive to have in order to enhance the look of the dam.

At present the jetty is a temporary structure that we have installed in order to figure out how best to permanently install it, so that it works for everyone.  The jetty can be folded away in a matter of a couple of hours, and we are working on making that a matter of minutes.  Thus we will be able to fold the jetty out of the way so that sailors and other water users are not impeded, but we needed to put the jetty up to be able to see how best to do this. 

All of the points that have been raised by the local resident will be addressed, and we are sure that we will be able to find reasonable solutions and compromises to the issues raised.  The dam is for everyone’s use and Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, with it’s incorporation of SCARC (Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club), continues to strive to make the sport of canoeing and kayaking available to anyone who cares to try it out, thereby making the best and most full use of this wonderful stretch of water, to the benefit of all.

I would like to invite residents and interested parties to come and watch a game, try it out if you feel so inclined!  It is an exciting sport to watch, and more fun to play, and will provide you with fantastic water confidence.  No kayaking/ canoeing experience is necessary and all that you need are shorts and a shirt to play in and a change of clothes for afterwards, all other equipment is provided.  The first couple of sessions are free of charge, after which a nominal fee per session will be charged.  Practice and game sessions are held on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 5pm onwards, and on Sundays, 9am onwards.  Interested parties may contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jay Hyde
Dabulamanzi Canoe Polo Chairman