Over the weekend, bike polo players gathered in costume in a downtown Bellingham parking garage to play a game that became popular in the area in the ’90s.
Bikes flew around as players crashed into each other and the plywood walls of the Commercial Street Parking Garage. The sounds of mallets smashing balls echoed and people cheered as goals were scored.
The annual three-day event, Bellingham Bike Polo Halloween Tournament, was hosted by Bellingham Bike Polo club Oct. 18-20.
“It’s like hockey on bikes,” organizer Dan Vee said. “A lot of our rules were pulled from hockey because it’s a lot of the same directional movement.”
Richard J. Mecredy created bike polo in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1891 and it ended up being played at the 1908 Olympics in London. Bike polo became a craze in Seattle in the 1990s during the same time pickleball and ultimate frisbee began to explode.
“It comes from bike messenger culture,” organizer Brett Lott said. “They got bored on their bikes. While they were waiting for pickups and deliveries, they would hit balls with sticks.”
Gallery: Bellingham Bike Polo club hosts annual Halloween tourney
Although bike polo has adapted over the last few decades, some things remain the same. The traditional game is three-on-three with no designated goalkeeper.
Bike polo is unique because players use track bikes with disc guards, a front brake and a lower gear so they can remain at a quick speed. The players use a plastic mallet and a small orange ball. Most tournaments have games lasting 10–15 minutes or the first team to score five goals.
Bellingham Bike Polo’s tournament had a twist. Since the tourney occured close to Halloween, the teams were encouraged to dress in costumes with prizes for the best-dressed squad. The tournament also provided games for newcomers and a beer garden during the weekend.
“Once you get bit by the ‘polo bug,’ you realize it is such a fun community that is centered on inclusion,” Vee said. “The bike polo community is very open to breaking down barriers for entry. I had some people buy me a plane ticket to a tournament in Texas.”
On Saturday, teams played with the goals moving around the court and a challenge called “Secret Agent.” Before the game begins, each team chooses an opposing player and secretly tells the referee. Once the game ends, that player’s goals do not count toward the final score.
“There are very few tournaments downtown,” said Jessica Myers of Philadelphia. “They got a good setup with the snacks and beer and the wacky rules make it a fun vibe compared to being as serious.”
The Bellingham tournament’s special rules force players to learn how to overcome challenges and work together as a team, but also “keep the vibes immaculate,” Vee said.
“We still see some of the best players in North America at our tournament. Once the elimination bracket starts, you will see spicy play,” Vee added.
Lott thinks bike polo is just as dynamic as other team sports. “It is like soccer with a lot of marking players and stopping passes,” Lott said. “You need to cut off people’s access to plays and communicate.”
The Bellingham Bike Polo club started its tournament in 2019. Because competition takes place in a parking garage, the club can host tourneys during the fall and winter seasons. Teams from New York, Oregon, Philadelphia, Alaska and Vancouver participated this year.
Currently, Bellingham Bike Polo has around 15 players show up to weekly practices, including folks from out of town.
“When I was in D.C., I met Brett and was excited to meet someone from Bellingham,” New York’s Dylan Hiester said. “I haven’t been back to Bellingham in about 15 years when I went to Western. I couldn’t wait to be back at this tournament.”
Bellingham Bike Polo gives most of its profit back to charities and nonprofits, including cancer awareness programs and Planned Parenthood. The club keeps some profits so it can achieve its goal: “To find a spot in Bellingham that can be a space where we could have weekly games, roller derby practice there and night markets,” Vee said.
“It is rare to find something outside and undercover with lights in the Pacific Northwest,” Vee said.
Until then, Bellingham Bike Polo will continue to open its arms to all people.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
