How many clubs are in NAH?
How many players are in each club?
What makes a regulation polo court?
What kind of equipment is necessary to play?
What makes a polo bike?
What makes a hardcourt mallet?
How many clubs are in NAH?
Right now there are roughly 125 clubs throughout North America, with new clubs added several times a week.
How many players are in each club?
An average club has anywhere from 10-15 players. The biggest clubs boast around 30-40.
What makes a regulation polo court?
A regulation size has not yet been determined. However, the average court size is 120 x 65. Though abandoned roller hockey rinks are often employed, a proper polo court has “cut-off” corners which kick the ball out into play, as opposed to rounded corners that hold the ball close to the wall. This is appropriate for hockey but not for hardcourt bike polo.
The ideal surface is either an asphalt-based fine grit surface, such as a tennis court, or the increasingly popular Sport Court (link).
What kind of equipment is necessary to play?
Bare bones, a player needs only a bike, a mallet and a ball. However, we recommend other protective gear such as helmets, gloves, elbow and knee pads, etc.
What makes a polo bike?
Polo bikes are typically simple machines that each player customizes to suit their playing style. There is only one constant: the bike is geared very low to make it easier to move quickly in close quarters. That aside, here is a breakdown:
- Pedals: some use flat pedals – with or without foot retention – while other use clipless pedals.
- Handlebars: Only bullhorn bars have been disallowed. All handlebar ends must be plugged.
- Brakes: Some players have one rear brake. Others have one front brake. Yet others have two brakes actuated by one lever. Still others have one brake that can be actuated by either of two levers. Again, this is player preference.
- Fixed or free: Most players use free-wheel. Some use fixed.
- Wheels: Typically built with anywhere from 32 to 48 spokes depending on whether the wheel size is 26” mountain size or 700c road size. Many players make wheel covers out of coroplast to protect their spokes from fast moving mallets and balls.
- Frame and fork: Players use both steel and aluminum frames. Ideally, the wheel-base (link?) is short with a sharply raked fork for quick, responsive turning.
What makes a hardcourt mallet?
- Shaft: shafts are typically made out of ski poles. Lacrosse shafts, golf club shafts, etc., have been used but most players prefer a strong, light aluminum tube.
- Mallethead: lengths of gas pipe, anywhere from three to seven inches and roughly 2 ¼” in diameter are still predominantly used, even though people in our community have begun to manufacture and distribute prefabricated heads. The most reliable heads are made of High Density Polyethelyne (HDPE), Ultra-High Molecular Weight (UHMW) or Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. PVC is NOT a suitable material for a mallethead as it easily chips and breaks creating sharp points and a quick end to the equipment.
- Mounting hardware: Players have created many different systems. The easiest way is to simply drill a hole through the head and shaft and thread in a bolt.