When Jamie DeBonet moved from the Big Island to Kaua`i last winter, one thing he didn't want to give up was playing water polo. Since 1982 the high-paced water sport has been DeBonet's passion, leading him to compete in tournaments in Canada, Mexico and around the U.S.

"For me, when I get in the water, all outside thoughts go away and I can focus strictly on playing the sport," DeBonet says.

Fortunately for DeBonet, his first visit to the new YMCA facility in Puhi coincided with a Kaua`i Water Polo Club practice session.

The roughly 30-person club holds practices on Wednesday from 5:45 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon during the winter months with occasional changes during the year.

Before moving to Kaua`i DeBonet had coached water polo at the Hawai`i Preparatory Academy in Kamuela so when he had the chance to join the Kaua`i team, he seized the opportunity.

Water polo, a game played by a team consisting of six field players and one goalie is played in a pool and involves passing a ball back and forth as each team tries to score by throwing the ball into the opposing team's net. With strategies similar to soccer, water polo has the contact and aggressive play of rugby, but requires players to swim, tread water, throw, catch and communicate well with teammates.

"It is sometimes described as a combination of all-star wrestling and world champion basketball in eight feet of water," DeBonet says.

The game is played in four seven-minute quarters and takes approximately 45 minutes total which means it is both fast-paced and an excellent physical workout.

The Kaua`i Water Polo Club currently has a "masters team" comprised of men and women from high school age to adults, but the club is looking to expand and invites anyone interested in the program to call or visit the YMCA in Puhi.

Participation is simple says DeBonet. "All you need is a swim suit." Protective headgear and other equipment is provided thanks to private donors who helped pay for new pool lane lines and game clocks, making water polo in Puhi an even more authentic experience.

Donations to the Kaua`i YMCA support the facility and its programs as it pursues an expansion in its goal to bring world-class exercise and training facilities to the island.

Head swim coach Billy Brown hopes to start an interscholastic water polo team which would allow Kaua`i players to regularly compete in statewide championships.

Earlier this year the club sent a team to compete in the 41st Annual Hawaiian Island Invitational Water Polo Tournament on O`ahu where players from Kaua`i competed against national and international clubs including the Australian National Team.

This fall the Kaua`i Water Polo Club plans to host a clinic and water polo tournament in order to introduce the program to potential new members.

For more information, call the YMCA of Kaua`i at 246-9090.