SMC Water Polo Conference: Corsairs vs Owls vs Cougars drown each other beautifully

Following in the footsteps of seeing my first live football game at Santa Monica College, it seemed fitting to attend the 2023 SMC Water Polo Conference on October 5th where the men’s water polo Corsairs (SMC) played the Citrus College Owls and Cuesta College Cougars. The women’s water polo Corsairs played Citrus Owls.

Citrus College Owls at the SMC Water Polo Conference on October 5th, 2023 in Santa Monica, Calif.

Being at a public pool for the first time since childhood was nostalgic and inspiring. The beauty of the water sparkling in the sun never really loses its appeal. Talking with some of the alumni, I learned that despite this inviting, beautiful atmosphere this is quite the violent game! To my photographer chagrin, the key “action” takes place under the water - and there are very few limits. None of this can really be seen above the water, except at the Olympics where there’s an underwater camera feed. For such graceful looking athletes they are definitely kicking, tearing at and sometimes drowning each other during the game. Wow!

I’d like to have said the home team won some games for the sake of the swim center, but they did their best that day. Unfortunately the Corsairs were sacked by the Owls, then the Cuesta Cougars came in looking like they were going to beat the lights out of their opponents. They also had the support of family and a live stream narrator, which had to add to their spirits. You could tell how much strength they brought to the game by the huge sprays of water during their plays! After that I almost couldn't look, but the Corsairs had to play the Cougars (who had just beaten the team that beat the Corsairs). Yes, it was a bit painful to watch that, but also a memorable first day at the pool games.

SMC Corsairs consult with the coach at halftime during the first game of the day. (As published in The Corsair.)

SMC Corsairs play Citrus College Owls first.

These are badass ladies. (As published in The Corsair.)

Ironically, the Cuesta Cougars didn’t have their team caps that day, so they had to wear SMC’s blue home caps when playing the Citrus Owls. Even more ironically, they then played SMC wearing SMC’s home caps.

Owls (white away cap) play the Cougars (blue home cap).

I highly recommend attending a water polo game, if you get the chance! The games are relatively short, and the teams are small, so you can really keep track of how the players are doing. And if they play well, it might just inspire you to start working out again.

The Citrus Owls seemed satisfied with their game against Cuesta, a great team to lose to. The Owls had played well all day.