Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Again, we will light up Lake Catherine and play boatball on Friday Night! The guys from the NW Chapter have volunteered to bring the necessary equipment and everyone else just needs to show up to play. Its a fun game, and will be played in a friendly manner for people of all skill levels.

Come out and PLAY!!!

As expected the NW chapter will be bringing it's A game to this years Friday Night Lights Boatball extravaganza.

We would certainly be open to taking on any worthy challenges from any of the other club chapters.

At last years Rendezvous it was rumored that the River Valley Chapter was going to be up for a re-match ...but apparently they were still licking their wounds after the whupping they suffered at the hands of the NW Chapter at the previous Lake Ft. Smith Boatball extravanganza .... so when the lights went up on Friday night they were no where to be found.

Hopefully they will have recovered in time for this year's event.

Game on.

Somebody needs to try and knock NWA off our pedestal..

We have the best (and most consistent) boatball program in the state.

PROOVE ME WRONG!!!!

Don't be

Rumor has it NW Chap has a green boat tucked away

You had to give up the goods, didn't you...

C'mon ACC. Join the smack talk!

If anyone needs any gear to play boatball, I have a bunch of gear I would be willing to loan out, and I will be unable to use it for a few more months per my doctors. Don't let the lack of a boat, paddle, helmet, or any gear keep you from playing boatball. Only reason I stopped playing was that the 5 discs in my neck put me in too much pain, and then the knee and rotator cuff problems. When I am rehab-ed from the rotator cuff, I may try to play again. It is great fun.

I know for a fact that my old Savage Screem is a fast tough boat with some boat ball experience that will corner on a dime, and take any punishment that any other boat or paddler can dish out, and I would guess that my New Wave Mongoose will play well too. Also have a Savage Fury, Savage Gravity, Hollowform River Chaser, and Dagger Response that could be used with skirts, bags, and paddles for all. Any of these boats would work for boat ball.

Give me a shout if you want to borrow anything to play boatball at Rendevous.

Eric Esche

Eric Esche wrote:If anyone needs any gear to play boatball, I have a bunch of gear I would be willing to loan out, and I will be unable to use it for a few more months per my doctors.
Give me a shout if you want to borrow anything to play boatball at Rendevous.
Eric Esche

Eric will also be handing out Cajones to any of you that maybe scared to rumble with NW chapter..

Ha, Ha. And you never got to play boat ball with me that I remember. I used a Savage Skreem and after the first game, wore a white hockey helmet with a wire cage. I do not claim to have been any good at it, but I think those who played against me will agree that I did go full out trying and we always had fun. Was rough at times trying to keep up with kids half my age, but then less than half my paddleing experience too. Now, they are much more seasoned and have depth if their regulars go to Rendevous

And not that the NW chapter has a "reputation". I found them as rough at times as my old Ice hockey league (no quarter given, many taken) and always carried my full first aid kit to games, but they only play to the level that others bring to the game. I had my nose broken in my first NW Chapter boat ball demonstration game, and my wife insisted on a NEW face cage helmet as it was cheaper than the insurance and deductible. When for a time, some women were reluctant to play as hard as some of the guys HAD BEEN, the guys showed they were gentlemen and cleaned up their act. They showed that they can play nice, and all pushed themselves to higher skills.

From the time I moved to NWA, the NW chapter has had a very good skill level of whitewater AND boatball in the NW Chapter. That is not smack talk - that is just plain observation, tradition,and honed talent.

Well, maybe a little smack talk, but I would not bet money or beer against them.

Eric Esche

Eric - Sounds like we're playing a kindler gentler form of boatball in NWA in recent years with little to no blood shed. Thanks, as always, for your kind offer to share any gear folks might need. By the way, helmets and life jackets are mandatory.

We will welcome all skill levels and ages who wish to play at Rendevous. Focus of game will be to have fun, get a good workout to loosen up for Saturday paddling and hone our kayaking skills. So if you've never had a chance to play the game come on out & join us for some friendly (our smack talk is worse than our bite )competition.

wiredforsound wrote:our smack talk is worse than our bite

Fantastic turnout for boatball! I lost count for the number of players, but I think we had in the 18 to 20 range. Great fun workout & no blood was shed.

For those of you that played for the first time and want to get a group together locally to play or for the curious onlookers who were wondering what that heck was going on (somewhat resembles a demolition derby from the sidelines with that many players ) here are some links with more information.

http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com/Defaul ... eId=655904" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's a video done by the Northwest Chapter's very own Tony Cosgrove:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1iaB4cC ... re=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's a cool video done by the Memphis club that I think originated the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsP0lHLmiNg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions on how to get a gaming going in your area.

Great fun! We need a group to play sometimes here in LR.

Boatball was a ton of fun to watch and Crash and I are very sorry we didn't get to play. I hope we can get some people together in central Arkansas to play soon-maybe I'd understand things the game better if I was in the middle of it.

You Little Rocky people? Anybody else interested?

Great video Tony - Y'all got the flavor right - everybody that comes and paddles is a winner.

Thanks.

Eric Esche, who hopes he can play again someday, even if I do not bring as much to the game as I once might once have done.