Once upon a time on the little island of Barbados, a guy (Jason Gilkes) had an idea. He started a
Segway of Barbados Adventure Fun Rides, but wanted some other ways to use his Segways to get his friends together for some fun and camaraderie.
After searching the internet for ideas, he found "
Segway Polo" - which was already being played in California and a few other parts of the World.
Barbados has a rich history of horse polo and so, Segway Polo seemed like a natural fit.
After calling some friends, he found a (Horse) Polo practice field (generously offered by
Teddy Williams of Apes Hill Polo Club) and started playing some impromptu games. Shortly thereafter the inexperienced "characters" were invited to play a demonstration game after a big Horse Polo Match at Apes Hill.
One Saturday afternoon in March 2009, 8 guys mounted their Segways armed with little knowledge but lots of enthusiasm in front of a large gathering of Polo fans!
Things went well......mostly at the Bar after the match, but a short video clip of the game made it to the internet and someone saw it!
By Monday morning Jason had received an email asking him about the progress of the sport in Barbados!
Shortly after that Jason got another email from
Olaf Funke - the current ISPA (International Segway Polo Association) President, asking if our "Team" would like to come to Germany and play in the 2009 Woz Challenge Cup?
A few phone calls to the "Team" members followed (Most of them are still laughing at the sheer ludicrous idea of playing in a World Cup of anything after one match!!!)
One by one, the stars aligned, coconuts fell from the sky and a Barbados Segway Polo Team was formed!
But what would they call themselves? The Ideas were "
flyin".... but they were like a "
fish" out of water!
Like most fairytales, this one has a happy ending and in July 2009, 7 members of the
Virgin Atlantic,
Mount Gay Rum,
Totally Barbados,
Print Brokers sponsored Barbados Segway Polo Team - The Flyin' Fish, traveled to Cologne, Germany.
Coming into the tournament as an under-dog team from the Caribbean, the odds stacked against them, went on to victory, bringing home the title and the Woz Challenge Cup to Barbados!
Following this achievement the Flyin' Fish Team were presented with the opportunity to host the Woz Challenge Cup 2010......to which they accepted!
Please click on the link for more information:
Woz Challenge Cup 2010.
The Committee of the Segway Polo Club of Barbados is as follows:
President: Brett deGale
Vice President: Ryan Rodriguez
Secretary: Brett Callaghan
Assistant Secretary: Jason Gilkes
Treasurer: Darren Gittens
