Water polo for a musician?

[NeleusTheStatue]

I have an active 11 years old boy who enjoys a wide range of sport but seems to love ball/water/team related especially. He was in serious football training programmes for years and also an excellent swimmer/tennis player/golfer.

He loves being water, but no interest in swimming competitively. So after reaching an advanced level, he's just been enjoying diving and messing around in a pool with dad and friends. Then someone suggested water polo. I don't know anything about water polo, but a ball game in water sounds such fun for a boy like mine.

However, he's also a serious musician and has to be careful with his fingers.

Football, swimming, yoga, running, tennis and table tennis seem to be regarded as a musician friendly sport, whereas rugby and hockey are not so welcomed (around us, at least). But how about water polo? How risky is it? Should we stay away and just stick to football and swimming which he enjoys in and out of school and is good at anyway?

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

In fact, I just like to know about water polo irrelevant to musician or not. If it can be taken up just for fun or heavy commitments and involvement are expected once started. It sounds fun but I don't know anything about it. My friend is also considering it for her ds but she has equally no clue. We have a nice water polo club nearby.

Seems like water polo doesn't have high population... I'll go and have a look at their session. If anyone is interested I'm happy to post my feedback. Otherwise, I suppose I just let this thread to follow the natural course of disappearing! Thanks for reading anyway.

Water polo can get quite ruthless at times......

He’s 11. His career as a serious musician isn’t in jepody and he’s just as likely to trap his fingers in a car door at that age.

As he appears to have reached competitive levels at every sport and instrument available to him already, you might as well as water polo to the list and perhaps consider taking out insurance against any future loses in his musical career. Just in case.

In all seriousness, your son may enjoy this book if he’s choosing where to focus his talents

www.amazon.co.uk/Bounce-Myth-Talent-Power-Practice/dp/0007350546?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Thanks for the posts!

Zodlebub, they get ruthless for competitive level or even for elementary level? Water polo sounds so much fun but then it may be too competitive for casual players..? I have no idea of water polo culture.

Musseswoofles, thanks for the link. I just had a quick peep at amazon and it looks interesting. DH is actually a serious sportsman (as a hobby but he's good enough to get invitations for age banded competitions) so it may also be a good read for him.

We thought DS would be all about sports as he was good and he had every opportunity to be active as soon as he was born due to having the sport enthusiastic father. But personality is also very much a big factor to be a successful sportsman and he just doesn't have it. Besides, he thinks music is his chosen area, for now. So, we want something fun and keeps his fitness level well and healthy.

I lived in California for a while - it’s a big college sport there. It was a big alpha male sport. It may well not be the same over here but it was pretty ruthless, even at High School level. That said, the players are beyond passionate and live for their sport. It’s kind of niche but also fairly mainstream over there.

The only way you’ll know is to do some trials over here. My experience is in a totally different country.

Thanks Zodlebub. The culture may not suit DS if what you say applies here. My friend's DS does ice hockey. Although he does it for 'fun', the expected commitment is quite a lot. It's fairly minor in this country I think, but kids who are in are incredibly passionate. I sense water polo may be similar.

I played waterpolo from 11 to 14 and represented my school at regional and national competitions (in New Zealand). It’s definitely ruthless, even for women/girls but lots of fun.

You only handle the ball with one hand and I don’t ever recall getting my hands or fingers hurt. The ball is similar to a netball, but slightly smaller and lighter.

You need a lot of stamina, need to be agile in the water as you change direction frequently, speed is good, but the will have to learn to swim slightly differently so he can control the ball.

Thanks for the sharing, Fantail. Apart from the ruthless bit, it does sound really great.

It’s a contact sport - so ruthless in that manner. Girls and women wear two pairs of togs in case one pair gets ripped!

The advantage though is you don’t get impact injuries like in netball or rugby. There is of course still a risk of concussion, but no more than getting an elbow to the head in football.

Great to hear from experience, Fantail. Thank you.

You mean that ruthless! I thought you meant 'ruthless for selection' like the football club DS was in - you'll lose your place if you don't perform well. Anyway, DS is pretty tough physically so I won't be too worried about being pushed and pulled. He loves doing all the movements under water too.

I am not sure if our local club is willing to take a beginner casual player. I really hope he is allowed to have a go at a trial at least.