Final event of the Geraldton water polo season takes on the open water as Water Polo by the Seas returns

Geraldton water polo players have conquered just about everything there is in the pool this season but will now tackle the open water as Water Polo by the Sea returns to Towns beach on Saturday.

The annual event sees all-star teams compete in the open ocean with the teams split into Northern and Southern zones with juniors, women’s and men’s team all in action.

Corey Smith said it was a great event to close out the season as well as provide the opportunity to put on an exhibition to get people interested in water polo.

“The event was created to get more eyeballs on the water polo scene and the numbers in our association are definitely up and up every year,” he said.

Geraldton water polo claimed back both men’s and women’s country week shields and is set to host the event next year.

“The teams this year had a lot of young guys and it was brilliant from an association perspective,” he said.

“We’d be looking to dominate the carnival for the next half a dozen years with the players we have.”

Smith said it was a different experience playing in the open water compared with the pool.

“Saltwater makes it easier to swim so it makes you feel fitter than you actually are,” he joked.

“It’s good fun but the guys are very competitive so there’s plenty of quality.

“The elements definitely play a factor and on long passes, you have to be aware of the sun and things like that.”

Games will start at 9:30 am with the juniors with women and men following at 10:30 and 11:30 am respectively.

The winning team will be determined by aggregate across the three games.