There is nothing like a 6:00am morning practice.
By 6am, we really mean 5:45am on the pool deck stretching. In the water by 6.
The dreaded time of waking up from a peaceful sleep to get in the cold frigid water.
Having to explain if we actually have to tread water or if we have life jackets to support us. To answer your question yes, by the end of a game/ practice our legs are so tired from treading that they feel like jelly.
No, we don't ride horses. Have you seen the Olympics?
Even though I have played water polo for what it seems like forever now, there are always new things to learn. From the many coaches I have had, they all have helped me grow as a player and push myself to new limits.
You know you’re a water polo player when:
A typical fragrance for you is chlorine and you can’t remember the last time you have straightened your hair. A typical throw on sweats and put your hair up in the bun kind of look is what you know.
Having to explain how deep the water is and if it is legal to touch the bottom of the pool during the game.
Haha, we all wish we could use that time to rest.
The dreaded polo suit. The suit that all would agree would be more useful as thong than an actual uniform for a sport. The suit that everyone is amazed because of the zipper attached to the back of it.
Players with long hair know the
Not only do have the dreaded worry of our butt always showing from this suit but the famous "suit hickey" is a worry of ours as well.
The marks that the suit leaves by the end of playing 7 games in one weekend. The marks that make your parents and friends question what you are really doing on the weekends.
Finding random bruises that you didn't know you even had until your friend pointed them out to you.
The real mystery of this sport is being able to guess which game you got the bruise and how long it has been on you for.
You will come to learn that having bruises is a usual thing for you.
Tournaments. The weekends that you look forward to more than anything. The reason you work so hard in practice each and every day. The time where you become so close as a team that you want to kill each other by the end of the weekend. There is nothing like being in the game and doing something that not only benefits you but your team as well. You learn more from each other than you ever imagined to.
Always knowing that you have teammates who will push you to be the best you can be, and show you what being a family is all about.
I have never played a sport that not only challenges me physically every day but emotionally too. Playing water polo has truly changed my life for the better. I don’t know what I would do without this sport. It is my stress reliever when I have had a tough day, my go-to remedy for keeping me sane.
You know that you are a water polo player when:
Nothing makes you happier than to play the game. The excitement you feel when you see it on tv and all you want to do is get in and join.
There is a truly magical feeling when you say that you’re a water polo player. When your friends and family get to brag about their son or daughter, girlfriend or boyfriend playing such an intense sport.
Throughout my time playing this amazing sport I have learned so much about not only myself but, the obstacle’s I can overcome if I just put my mind to it. I believe in myself more than I ever thought I could because of Water Polo. Even after my time is up and my years of eligibility run out, I know that it will always be the one thing that remained positive for me. It will always be the reason I strived to be a better person and player every day. I am truly blessed to say that I got the opportunity to play Water Polo in high school, and continue this journey in college.
I am thankful to all my past coaches and my coach now for always believing in me. For their dedication to our team no matter the score on the board. For always leaving a positive impact on me each and every day after practice.
There is so much that I could say about playing this amazing sport. It is just something that you have to experience, something you just have to live for.
I’m a water polo player and I sure am proud of that.
