Why don't you play polo?

Oh, and my offer of taking team photos for free still stands if any of yous lot need 'em.

From what I have seen, most poloistas claim to be big gay hosers and although I am not sure what one of those is, I am pretty confident that I am not one and am therefore concerned that I am unlikely to fit in.

I'd like to give it a go at some point, probably in the summer when i'll have the time, and it gives me time to get bits together. Who do i talk to bout beginner stuff? I've seen Wicksie mentioned a lot.

Hi, here is the beginners thread:

http://www.lfgss.com/thread41959.html

Wicksie is organising it at the moment, in the summer there will probably be a new Beginner's format.

Speak to Wicksie, or a member of the LHBPA such as me or JonoMarshall and we will point you in the right direction.

Polo's a bit shit, lets be honest... I mean, the drinking and making fun of Slain... all good, but there has got to be more sophisticated ways of sweating, no?

BTW, I couldn't care less... just adding Jalapeños.

I'm going to point something out about the perceived cliqueyness of polo, or the whole "I'm not in with that crowd" or "The people intimidate me"... it's this: Before you joined LFGSS or came on a ride, did you not hesitate because you said to yourself, "But these people already know each other, they're already mates, I'm just going to be spare baggage.". It's perfectly human to think such things.

But how come they know each other? What makes them ride together? And with the polo crowd, what builds those great and strong friendships that you feel a little blocked out by?

The answer is the act of just doing it. The fact that people signed up, turned up, rode their bikes, played polo.

The bond is the doing something. The vast majority of the friendships didn't precede Polo or LFGSS, they were born out of these things. And they're there, available to you, if you find the time to turn up, do it, and say hi to people.

I read this thread and accept time and commitment, and even location, as legitimate reasons. But when people complain about the clique and crowd, I just think it's fucking weak... because the polo crowd are some of the best people in the world and even more welcoming and accepting than LFGSS. They've still got the vibe of early LFGSS, and all they want to do is share it with you by having you over for a game.

If you think the people are a reason not to play polo, get over yourself and grow a pair.

All I wanted to say.

Nob!

If anything polo is too much fun... you make too many friends... you learn to ride that much better... Sounds shit to me.

This weekend is a polo holiday weekend where 10+ mates from london will be playing polo with 50+ world mates. IN NO WAY IS THAT SHIT! I for one cant wait.

I think i started the "no polo, no talk thing". It was a joke.

I think the London (and European) Polo crowd is awesome and very friendly! And they are far from any of the nasty things they've been called in this thread.
Like with anything and anywhere in this world, you got to work to make friends, at school, at work. The guys are out to play polo, like they've said in this thread, they don't know you're there and curious unless you tell them. Some of them do have some awesome bike skills - but they're not mind readers! Give them a second chance, say hi and tell them you're curious, ask them questions, ask if you can have a go. You will most likely be allowed to borrow a bike and a mallet, you might have fun and if you make an effort, you'll make some amazing new friends - not only in London but accross the world!

I don't even play polo and have made some amazing friends, yes given that my guy plays helps, but I had to work at it in the beginning and make an effort. I'm so happy to have become part of their community and to be able to travel around to tourneys and have friends all over the world through it. All that because I put a bit of an effort in and said: hi!

saying that... you were really nice till i got to know you, then i heckled everytime i hit the court.

Let's try the other approach...

Which polo players want me to buy some tins of Tyskie and have a chat about that lovely sport?

Oh, and my offer of taking team photos for free still stands if any of yous lot need 'em.

Done.

I'd like to give it a go at some point, probably in the summer when i'll have the time, and it gives me time to get bits together. Who do i talk to bout beginner stuff? I've seen Wicksie mentioned a lot.

Hello.
Summer might not be me if the visa Gods are on my side. Either way, check the beginners thread and you'll get helped out there.
No need to get bits together before you play. You might want to see how you go before spending money, and you'll learn a lot about what you need by playing first. But all this is discussed in the polo threads.

saying that... you were really nice till i got to know you, then i heckled everytime i hit the court.

But Ray, that's only cos I like you the most + you respond so well to it! ;-)

I dont play polo because i think it sucks... Just like i think football sucks, and various other sports.
But this is coming from someone who gets massive enjoyment out of riding round in circles as fast as i can... which is pretty lame too when you think about it.

Some people just dont want to play certain sports... is that so bad?
I dont really understand why the OP thinks that just because we ride bikes, we should play bike polo.... Does everyone who rides a horse play horse polo?

p.s.

I know a fair few polo players... and they are nice people. I just think they are very focussed on the polo, when at polo.... maybe some people take this as being intimidating.

I dont play polo because i think it sucks... Just like i think football sucks, and various other sports.
But this is coming from someone who gets massive enjoyment out of riding round in circles as fast as i can... which is pretty lame too when you think about it.

Some people just dont want to play certain sports... is that so bad?
I dont really understand why the OP thinks that just because we ride bikes, we should play bike polo.... Does everyone who rides a horse play horse polo?

I don't think Kevin was suggesting that if you ride a bike, you should play polo, more interested in why not, so that we, the polo community, can work if there's anything else we can do to attract new people, because new people means more people which means more polo which is good.

If the whole idea of team sports turns you off, hey, that's cool!

^ Solo polo?

If anyone wants to play polo then just do it.
You'll immediately find it rewarding and go home with limp wrists and a big smile.

I understand the intimidating aspect but it's up to you to break through those thoughts.
I felt that when I first began but I just went and watched and kept quiet and enjoyed small chats and built upon that.
I've met the greatest people in my life and had the most wonderful experiences playing this game and find everyone to be warm and kind hearted.

If it's something you just feel really inspired to try then you should.
Don't worry about having the perfect bike or not being able to play well.
You can develop this over time if you wish...

yeah... i wasn't meaning to be negative, just saying why i dont play!

If anyone wants to play polo then just do it.

I don't want to play for the reasons I stated above (no, not "intimidation").

Still, I'd love to watch young sporty men sweat on their bikes, but they don't seem to like spectators.

Spectators are fine, people taking photos/filming/interviewing/writing an article get pretty tedious though.

Bastard!

I've got CRB checks.

I've got CRB checks.

repped!

as i went to play today i brought two friends along (who who ended up playing one who didnt) i had a league game so could not stand with them the whole time but they went and spoke to everyone and btoh commented on how welcoming everyone was and are keen go back

'cool story', i know