Doug Van Etten of the Anchorage Adventurers Meetup Group has teamed with Jim Gonski of Alaska Kayak Academy and John Evingson of Alpacka Raft Rentals to organize what they believe is the first series of water polo games using packrafts, the small, light and tough inflatable boats that have opened up vast swaths of the backcountry to wilderness paddlers.
For years, winter-weary kayakers have played water polo in pools to help pass the winter months while waiting for water to turn liquid once again outdoors. Water polo, which dates back to 1870, is the oldest continuously contested Olympic team sport. Packraft polo, on the other hand, is only months old.
"Packraft polo is by far the easiest and I think best way to learn how to use and maneuver a packraft before getting into a river or body of water for the first time," Evingson said. "This ranks up at the top for fun -- you'll leave the swimming pool feeling refreshed and pumped up . . . or maybe tired."
Eighteen people -- including some first-timers -- showed up earlier this month for the initial gathering. Sessions will resume from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday nights starting Jan. 6
"Turnout was good," Van Etten said, "particularly since people were well into the Christmas shopping season."
The crowd was the latest indication that packrafting is continuing to move from the fringe to a mainstream pursuit in places like Alaska, fueled in part by Alaska Pacific University professor Roman Dial's seminal book, "Packrafting: An Introduction and How-To Guide."
The book is the first guide to packrafting. While it has sold steadily in Alaska, the book was ranked No. 401,501 on Amazon.com last week. But book sales aren't the only indication of packrafting's growth in the 49th state.
"(Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking) told me they sold about 100 of those things (rafts) this summer," Gonski said. "Selling a pair of boots was more demanding than selling a packraft.
"I think packrafting is exploding into its next generation, expanding into whitewater. It's now morphing into a tool of adrenaline hikers."
But not all of those new paddlers have experience on the water.
"People (in packrafts) aren't usually coming from a water background. They're coming from hiking background," Gonski said. "They get into water moving faster than expected, and they don't understand how currents flow so they make judgment mistakes."
On one trip down Eagle River this summer, Gonski saw three packrafts stuck in logs.
Packraft polo allows newcomers to build skills while having fun -- without a big outlay for gear from the onset.
"Once they see it, people will say that just looks like fun," Gonski said. "(The organizers) have all the gear. We just have to go have fun."
And, Gonski said, aging baby boomers with bum knees "who can't play hockey anymore because it hurts" might find similar thrills in packraft polo without wear and tear on that joint.
Those who show up are divided into teams of five and put on the clock for 10-minute aquatic skirmishes. Winners face a new five-paddler team; losers rotate out.
"A friendly, competitive environment allows a quick learn on how to paddle and familiarize yourself with the packraft," Evingson said. "The next thing you know, you will be paddling at full strength chasing a ball or ... scoring a goal."
Reach reporter Mike Campbell at mcampbell@adn.com or 257-4329.
Packraft polo basics
• Area: 130 feet by 80 feet on any flat water
• Goals: Suspended 61/2 feet above each goal line, typically on the pool deck
• Team size: Five
• Game length: Typically either one or two halves of 8-10 minutes
• Rules: Paddlers move ball with their hands or paddles. Players pass to teammates, often throwing in front of the boat and allowing the player to paddle to it. After gaining possession, players have five seconds to pass, dribble or shoot. Opponents aim to push over the ballhandler’s boat or ram it to force an errant pass. Such contact is only allowed with the ballhandler.
On the Web
• Instruction: Alaska Kayak Academy (www.kayakcenterak.com; 746-6600) offers instruction along with Alaska Kayak School, which has classes in Homer,
Soldotna and Anchorage (Service High pool) this winter. Courses in basics and beyond basics start Jan. 9. For a full list of the school’s courses, check its Web site,
www.alaskakayakschool.com. Phone: 235-2090
• Rentals: pacraftalaska.com
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