“Player Profiles” is a new blog series Davis Bike Polo will be doing to feature its players, their stories and experiences in bike polo! Stay tuned to meet the crew here in Davis! First up, is Aidan, DBP funny guy, on and off the court!
How did you first get involved in bike polo?
The first I ever heard of bike polo was through Stella Clark from Humboldt. I used to be roommates with her daughter, and after many attempts to get me interested, i finally gave in and tried it out when i saw an event on Facebook. I started coming every couple of weeks, then fell in love with the sport.
What was your first impression of bike polo?
INTENSE. Wow, seeing what folks could do on the court, something I’d never seen done on a bike.
What’s it like to be a bike polo player?
Personally, it’s a cool feeling. You get to talk to people about it constantly and explain it, cause 9.99 out of ten people have never heard of it! 🙂 It’s also amazing to be involved in a sport with such fantastic, supportive, and smart-assed peers.
What do you find most challenging about playing bike polo?
The learning curve is so steep, it feels discouraging. Learning effective plays and passing lanes/ habits, and offensive ball handling. Also, trying not to spend too much money on awesome bikes.
What do you like best about bike polo?
The challenge, as well as the fact that I get to play sports on bikes. A huge component of what makes it attractive to me also is just the scene surrounding the sport and it’s players. Tournaments are a great way to make new friends, play awesome polo, and watch some of the greats do what they do. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience meeting and playing polo with the people I have in my own club and in various others.
Who are your bike polo heroes? Why?
Oh man, there are so many great players out there that i aspire to, but my polo heroes are my clubmates and Abe and Jenny for all the work they put in to keep this club alive, well and constantly recruiting. Hauling the trailers with loaner bikes+ gear and tools is a step above and beyond. Shh, don’t tell em I said so though.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about trying bike polo?
I would tell them that not only through polo would they have an amazing time learning and playing the game, you also get connected to a vast network of really great people, and fantastic experiences + opportunities to travel. Everyone is welcome, and that’s one thing I love so much about it.
What’s your favorite bike polo and/or bike brands and gear?
I LOVE Velocity 48H rims, And the Milwaukee Hubs at Ben’s Cycle. I love Ben’s Cycles’ website for their wheel builder feature. FREE wheel building labor for a full build. I’m really loving my Swallows mallet with the FixCraft connector.
I really dig TRP’s brake I’ve been using as well.
What do you think will (or needs to) change in bike polo over the next few years?
I haven’t put a whole lot of thought into it, however I’d say that increased promotion of the sport would lead to more spreading.
If you weren’t playing bike polo, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like?
WHO CARES?????? I can’t imagine my life without polo. Anything else is MEANINGLESS 🙂
In all seriousness, I would probably not be getting enough exercise and still searching for my favorite way to ride bikes.
What do you do when you aren’t playing bike polo?
I work at a local bike shop, play music with my bandmate Sam, and make music of my own on the computer. Getting back into school very soon..
Any goals you’ve set for yourself this coming season?
Place higher in a tourney. Improve my passing, plays, all around skill and teamwork on the court. Aside from that, I really want to go to my first qualifier for Worlds. Even if i didn’t qualify, it’d give me something to shoot for in the next year.
What piece of advice would you give someone just starting out in polo?
I would tell them that if they didn’t play their life would be meaningless. JK! I would tell them that polo Is an amazing way to work out, get outside, play a sport, have fun workin’ on bikes, and of course, the friends make it AMAZING! So stick with it, play when you can, ask questions, watch games, and have a good time, you’ll definitely get hooked 🙂 But take it slow, never try to put too much pressure on yourself to be good. Practice, practice, practice.
