New season for Bridport Barracudas

bridport n0tice had a short chat with Mike Dodd from Bridport Barracudas, Bridport's own water polo team.

"Summer season in the harbour is about to start - a short season reliant on high tides (and good weather).

"Usual season is indoors and runs form September may, we play in various leagues-different junior mixed levels and senior men."

Are you looking for more players?

"Always."

Do you have a training session people can attend?

"We train on Monday nights at Bridport Leisure Centre, 8PM onwards for over 14s. Just come along, we require the ability to swim two lengths of the pool - but earlier sessions are at 6PM and 7PM for youngsters, booked through the Leisure Centre"

How many members/players are there currently?

"I think we might be as many as 50 strong across the various age groups."

Do the fixtures attract much of a crowd?

"In the harbour on a fine day, yes - literally hundreds have been known to watch."

Do you get the boats out of the way, or is that part of the challenge?!

"We have a specific area cleared of boats which was considered during the harbour redevelopment.

"We believe we have been hosting touring water polo teams in West Bay for over 100 years"

How did you do last season, and seasons before that?

"We have strong opposition always from the bigger clubs - Weymouth and Bournemouth - but we hold out own and win as many as we lose. Our juniors are stronger."

When were you founded?

"We are over 100 years old but the modern club as an adjunct to Bridport Barracudas Swimming Club has been active for about 20 years now at the Leisure Centre."

Age range?

"We have players in their 50s (and Weymouth have a veterans team where 60 year olds are still playing). There are teams at most junior levels."

Male/female teams?

"And at junior level mixed polo is played."

If you want to find out more about the Barracudas, contact Mike Dodd at mdodd@pittards.com, or visit their Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/2572502594/