Thought polo was elitist, expensive, involved too much manure? Well, think again.
There's a new sport in town and it's so much fun
it can only be massive. Segway Adventures, a company that specialises in taking people on Segway safaris all across the country – and Inis Oírr too – is no one trick pony. Its latest wheeze, which is galloping in popularity faster than Shergar, is Segway polo.
“I’ve a bunch of Norwegians arriving in the morning to play at the Phoenix Park polo grounds,” said company owner John O’Reilly. “Segway polo even has its own international world championships.”
Segway Adventures runs events at the polo grounds in Wicklow town too, as well as in third-level campuses (but of course) including Carlow Institute of Technology and NUI Galway.
“We’re booked out every Saturday until October. Each competition takes half a day and very often we are in two different locations on the one day, it’s that busy,” said O’Reilly.
Participants get full training and, after the polo competitions are complete there is straightforward Segway racing to enjoy, plus fun and games involving, on occasion, water cannon. “It’s just the best craic possible. Everyone ends the day with a great big smile on their face,” said O’Reilly.
A half-day Segway polo tournament costs from €40 per person for groups of more than 20, rising to €60 per person for groups of 10, with all equipment supplied.
What's more there's no expensive livery, no vets' bills and no John Wayne-style walking to worry about.
See segwayadventures.ie
