Thank you for visiting our club's website. We offer water polo at various levels - from beginner level to competitive tournament/travel teams. We offer a one week trial period at no charge to see if water polo is a good fit for your child. You do not have to live on Bainbridge Island to enroll in our club programs. We welcome all athletes from the Kitsap Peninsula that do not have a water polo program in their community.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Water Polo?
Only the most demanding sport on the planet…
What Did the Ref Say?
What does a year in the Bainbridge Water Polo Club (BWPC) look like?
Boys and Girls Teams (8th Grade and younger):
- Splashball (Typically ages 5-10)
- Jr. Polo (Typically ages 9-13
- Club 10U, 12U, 14U: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer seasons
High School Boys
- Fall- Boys HS Water Polo Season
- Winter- Boys HS Swim Season
- Spring- Club Water Polo
- Summer- Club Water Polo
High School Girls:
- Fall- Girls HS Swim Season
- Winter- Club Water Polo
- Spring- Girls HS Water Polo Season
- Summer- Club Water Polo
Masters
How is the program structured?
We are not a Parks District Program and as such have an independent coaching staff committed to the mantra of Defense, Teamwork, and Character (DTC) and answerable to the BWPC Board. Nationally, we fall under the umbrella of USA Waterpolo, which provides insurance for all events and opportunities for national and international competition. We work closely with pool staff and BISC to integrate water polo into the wider aquatics community here on the island and make it possible for athletes to participate in competitive and recreational swimming alongside of water polo. We have programs for children as young as 5 years old, up through Masters. The bulk of our athletes play on 12U, 14U, 16U, and 18U teams. Practices are often co-ed, except in high school seasons (see summaries above), and games for 12U and 14U will often be co-ed as well.
What time are practices?
Unfortunately we do not have priority for pool times which means evening practices often run from 8pm - 930pm and morning practices from 645am - 8am.
- 18u, 16u, and advanced 14u: 3-5 practices/ week (HS has 6/ week)
- 14u, 12u, and beginning players: 3-4 practices/ week
What is Splashball?
Splashball is a beginners program for younger players (5 - 10 years old) that takes place in an all shallow course.
I have a kid who I think would like to try Splashball 1, they don't know how to swim. Is that ok?
For safety reasons, BWPC requires a basic level of swimming proficiency, even at the introductory Splashball level. At a minimum, participants should be able to float unassisted, put their face in the water, and move a short distance (5-10 yards) using any form of propulsion. If your child isn’t quite there yet, we recommend starting with swim lessons before joining Splashball.
Will you teach my child to swim in Splashball?
Splashball is designed to introduce kids to water polo in a fun and engaging way, but it is not a formal swim lesson program. While players will gain confidence in the water and improve their swimming skills through drills and games, the focus is on water polo fundamentals rather than basic swim instruction.
At what level should an athlete be a "competent swimmer"? Is that the same as passing the "swim band" test at the aquatic center?
A competent swimmer for water polo generally means an athlete can comfortably tread water, swim multiple lengths of the pool without stopping, and be confident in deep water. This is different from passing a basic swim test, like the "swim band" test at the aquatic center, which often evaluates minimum safety requirements rather than endurance and mobility for water polo.
All participants in Splashball 2 and above need to have passed the BIPRD swim band test.
How do I sign up for the free two week trial?
- Step 1: Register for a trial at USA Water Polo
- Step 2: Register for the trial at Bainbridge Water Polo Club
- Step 3: Email Coach Kristin to let her know which practice your athlete will be attending so coaches can look for them to welcome them.
How do kids move up from Splashball 1 to Splashball 2? Will I receive something showing me what they can work on?
Kids typically move from Splashball 1 to Splashball 2 when they develop key foundational skills in swimming and water polo.
Common skills for advancing to Splashball 2 include:
✔️ Swimming 15-25 yards unassisted
✔️ Treading water for at least 30 seconds
✔️ Catching and passing the ball with some control
✔️ Following basic game rules and drills
✔️ Demonstrating confidence in deep water
If your child is eager to advance, coaches can provide guidance on specific skills to practice at home or in the pool. Let us know if you'd like a progress update, and we’ll be happy to share what they’re doing well and what they can focus on!
What are parent expectations?
As a non-profit organization, we are dependent on parents for fees, fundraising, transportation, and home game clock operation and record keeping (a fun perspective on the game!). Parents can give as much or as little time as they can afford, but it is the strong commitment level from parents that has made our club so successful.
How do I sign up?
It is necessary to sign up for both BWPC and USA Waterpolo. However, there is a FREE two-week trial offer for both organizations.