You’ve got questions about bike polo? We’ve got answers! If you don’t find your answer here, send us an email and we’ll do our best to give you the information you need. Email your questions to: davisbikepolo@gmail.com
What is Hardcourt Bike Polo?
Hardcourt bike polo is a co-ed, world-wide sport that infuses cycling and the basic principles of hardcourt hockey with teams of three attempting to score five points during a twelve minute game. Points are earned by shooting the ball into the opponent’s net. Instead of hockey sticks, players use mallets to maneuver and hit the ball to score. This modern hardcourt version of bike polo was started by a group of Seattle messengers in the early 2000s.
Hardcourt bike polo is a fun and fast-paced game that requires agility, strength and endurance and is played in over 530 city clubs all over the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia! Polo players regularly travel around the world to compete in tournaments and to play with different clubs. It’s a great way to make new friends and see the world!
When and where do you play in Davis?
We usually play Sundays starting at 12 noon until dark. We also play one or two weekday evenings. Check our Facebook or Twitter page for current announcements on pickup dates and times. Our court is located in West Davis. To see a map, head over to our Play Schedule page.
West Manor Park
2910 Salem St.
Davis, California 95616
What’s a typical pickup session like?
That depends on the day you come out! Sundays we don’t just play polo but we also BBQ, have snacks and maybe drink a beer or two. During the evenings of the week, we’ll usually just play pickup and make sure there are plenty of beverages and snacks on hand.
During a pickup session, we usually do a mix of pick-up games: we’ll do some new player focused games that are nice and slow so new players have time to work on their skills and then we’ll also have games that are for more experienced players that might be a bit faster. We also will usually mix in some drills for both new players and experienced players to sharpen their skills.
I don't have a bike or any gear, can I still play?
Yep! We’ve got you covered! Davis Bike Polo has a couple extra polo bikes we call “loaners” that you can borrow. We also have mallets and some extra helmets and padding.
We do suggest bringing your own helmet if you have it, just to make sure you’ve got one that fits you well. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes, no sandals or flip-flops, gotta protect those piggies!
How do I know if I'm good enough at riding bikes to play?
You don’t have to be a mountain biker or avid cyclist to learn how to play bike polo. If you can ride a bike comfortably down the road, you can, with some practice, learn how to play bike polo. Everyone learns at their own pace, so if you have less experience on a bike, you might take a bit more time than someone else who rides the trails every weekend, and that’s okay! We will coach you and cheer you on, no matter your experience level!
Will I get hurt playing bike polo?
Well, it depends on what you mean by “hurt.” We would say you are not any more likely to get “hurt” playing bike polo than playing another physical sport like soccer or mountain biking, regularly. You will fall and you will get minor bruises but most people don’t sustain any major injuries when playing pickup, although it does happen. To help people stay safe while learning and playing, we do a lot of coaching and drills and we encourage everyone to wear gloves, knee pads and elbow pads to keep all their pointy edges protected!
Are you LGBTQ and women friendly?
Davis Bike Polo wants everyone to feel like they have a place in the bike polo community. That is why we strive to create a safe space for everyone, regardless of a person’s gender identity, sexual orientation, race or nationality. We expect everyone who plays in our club, both visiting and as Davis members, to respect each other in their words and actions. Racist, homophobic, transphobic and sexist language is not welcome in our club.
In addition, even though bike polo is a co-ed sport, women are still a minority so Davis Bike Polo often host Ladies Polo nights and events where all women, cis and trans, can learn the ins and outs of bike polo with and from other women. We find these events are a great way to promote bike and leadership skills.
I'm stoked to come play, where can I watch more before I do?
We’re glad you asked! Head over to our blog to find some of our favorite bike polo videos: 3 Bike Polo Videos You Need to Watch Right Meow!