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ISSUE no 14 JULY 2015
SEGWAY POLO...A BARBADOS SUCCESS STORY
transporter”) is a twowheeled, self-balancing,
battery-powered electric vehicle, devised by the American
inventor Dean Kamen, bearing
resemblance to a pogo stick
on wheels.
In early 2009, Gilkes eventually stumbled upon Segway Polo
and persuaded some friends
to try playing the new sport
with success. Segway polo, as its name im-
2010 Edition at Lion Castle Polo Estate in Barba-
plies, borrows heavily from hockey-on-
dos where they successfully defended their title
horseback, or “horse polo,” as players of
and subsequently made two more finals ap-
the Segway form of the game refer to their
pearances in 2011 and 2013. These achieve-
Who would think that starting a tour com-
sport’s better-known cousin.
ments helped to expose a virtually unknown
pany would eventually lead to becoming a
After accepting an invitation to attend the
sport, which has struggled to gain popularity.
World Champion? Surely not Jason Gilkes!
Woz Challenge Cup – effectively the World
Current club President Ralf Luther believes that
The Barbadian entrepreneur launched his
Championship of Segway Polo, the Segway
the unique sport has a lot more to offer, espe-
Segway-based tour company in 2008 and
Polo Club of Barbados (SPCB) was formed
cially in the sports tourism sector. One of the
although business was picking up, he was
and the team headed to Germany where
strong points of the sport is the fact that it suits
still hungry for something new, something
the team defeated all their opponents in
people of all ages and many abilities. Learning
fun to do with his Segways .
their debut and were crowned the 2009
to ride a Segway is a lot easier than it looks and
For those unfamiliar, a Segway PT (Personal
Champions. The club went on to host the
all are encouraged to try it out.