It was one of the attractions at the Shoalhaven River Festival on Saturday and it proved very popular.

With feet firmly on the ground the battle on the water looked gruelling as players showed off their skills and abilities to multitask – play dodgem canoes, paddle after the ball, toss it to a team mate, get pushed upside-down, roll the right way up just in time to score a goal and do it all over again.

But long time player Andy Halliday from Gerringong assured those watching it’s not as exhausting as it looks.

“It’s actually a really safe game, hardly anyone ever gets hurt,” he said.

“We have everyone from young kids to 60-year-olds playing with us.

“It’s a whole lot of fun and today was a great way to show how it’s done.”

Mr Halliday said he has been playing for 30 plus years and is working with his team to play at nationals in Victoria in April 2015.

“Eventually it would be great to go to the World Master Games in Auckland in a few years,” he said.

“We normally have to go to Sydney or Canberra to compete, but we play every Tuesday at the Bomaderry Aquatic Centre.

“Anyone can come along and all the gear is provided.”

Spectator Wendy Fetchet from Nowra said her friend plays canoe polo, but it was the first time she had ever seen the sport.

“It looks like great fun and it seems very competitive,” she said.

“It’s been very exciting watching the boats go over the top of each other and slam into each other and roll too.”

For more information on canoe polo visit www.shoalhavenpaddle.com or contact Kristy Offner on 0402 617 205.