An Incredibly Basic Guide to the game -
for FULL rules see this page

Canoe polo is played in specially designed or modified kayaks using double-bladed paddles with thickened rounded edges (to prevent injury to opponents). Helmets, face masks and protective buoyancy aids are mandatory.

A polo team consists of a squad of up to eight players, only five of whom are allowed on the pitch at any one time. Canoe polo is played on flat water, usually a swimming pool, on a pitch of between 25 and 50 metres long - it is usually considered the longer the better*. The goals are 1.5 metres wide x 1 metre high and hang suspended at either end of the pitch 2 metres above the surface of the water. The aim of the game is to score by putting the ball in your opponents' goal while at the same time preventing them from scoring in yours.

The ball (a water polo ball) is passed from hand to hand, NOT hit with the paddle although this may be used to deflect the ball or to get it if it is otherwise out of reach. The goalkeeper (who is not always a designated player but simply the player nearest the goal at the time) uses his/her paddle to defend the goal; when the goalie has his/her paddle raised in the defensive position s/he may not be tackled nor his/her boat touched by an opponent's boat - to do either constitutes a foul. A legitimate tackle in canoe polo is a single-handed push on the shoulder with the hand, in an attempt to capsize one's opponent : good support strokes are a must, the ability to roll desirable, and to hand-roll very useful!

The game is refereed from the sides of the pool, with a referee on each side of the pool and a timekeeper and scorer keep the games running; as canoe polo is played in tournaments with a number of games being played consecutively it is important to keep to time and for all scores to be recorded! Games usually run for between six and eight minutes per half, with a minute between halves for change-over; major matches e.g. finals may last longer, and local rules are often applied.