The South Coast Water Polo Club made the biggest splash at the inaugural Big Papu Tiki Water Polo Club Championship Tournament held recently at Mt. Miguel High School. The South Coast club won championship titles in the boys 16- and 18-under divisions and also captured first place in the girls 18-under division.
“South Coast Water Polo is an American Water Polo Club that provides opportunities for boys and girls to learn and compete year around,” South Coast program director coach Ernie Medina explained.
“Our goal beginning last fall was to get involved with the North County and East County clubs and send our age group club teams to participate in leagues and tournaments. South Coast coaches have a vision to help the South Bay area kids develop in water polo, give direction with college opportunities, encourage kids to connect with community and have fun.”
Toward the latter goal, the South Coast club has helped spearhead local tournaments, called tiki tournaments, to bring together players from the region for what Medina termed “fun contests.”
“These are two-game tourneys on weekends primarily for South Bay area kids, but we do invite other clubs as well,” Medina said.
Three tiki tournaments took place during the spring, with the championship tournament in May. The inaugural Big Papu memorial tournament was named in honor of Medina’s late father Bob “Papu” Medina.
Tiki mugs were presented to the top three teams and kui kui seed bead leis were presented to players for sportsmanship.
In the boys 16U division, South Coast finished first, followed by the San Diego Dolphins in second place and the South Coast 14U team in third place.
In the boys 18U division, South Coast finished in first place, followed by South Bay (Eastlake) in second place and Cougar Polo (San Ysidro) in third place.
In the girls 18U division, South Coast finished ahead of Baron Polo (second place) and the South Coast 16U team (third place).
Medina noted that the South Coast club has unified much of the Chula Vista, San Ysidro and Imperial Beach area water polo enthusiasts.
Participants on boys teams are drawn from Hilltop, Chula Vista, Olympian, Otay Ranch, High Tech, Mar Vista and San Ysidro high schools while participants on girls teams come from Eastlake, Mater Dei Catholic, Otay Ranch, Olympian, Hilltop, Mar Vista and San Ysidro high schools.
“We believe that we have succeeded in bringing a quality and different approach to club water polo for parents and participants,” Medina said.
Club participation is ongoing. South Coast teams will participate in East County Summer League competition (which began Monday and continues through July) as well as the upcoming California State Games (July 17-19).
Competition sites for the East County Summer League games include El Capitan and Monte Vista high schools.
Competition sites for the State Games include Coronado High School, the Kroc Salvation Army Center and Helix High School.
For more information on training locations and times, contact Ernie Medina at coacherniemedina@gmail.com.
