Grip It and Rip It: The Wild World of Segway Polo

When polo comes to mind, we tend to imagine Prince William gallivanting on a horse in rural England, or that scene in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts is transformed from hooker to heart breaker while stomping the divots on the polo field. And while some people still play polo the traditional way, another form of the game is showing its face in Boston.  A Segway, the two-wheeled scooter often utilized by tourists, police offers, and Will Arnett’s character on Arrested Development, has become the ride of choice, making Segway polo a tech-friendly form of the sport that’s sweeping the nation. Well, maybe not sweeping, but showing up, at least.

While Segway’s corporate office is located only a short drive away from Boston in Bedford, NH, Segway polo first gained popularity in that magical land of sunshine and social networking know as the Bay Area. This year marks Boston’s first Segway Polo Classic, and the event kicks off at the J.J. Ryan Playground in Charlestown this Wednesday evening at 5pm. It’s the perfect opportunity to spend some time outside after work, if only to view the aristocrat-chic outfits. Add in a blanket and a beer, and that’s the stuff that dreams are made of. All ages are invited, so throw the kids in the back of the wagon and bring them along. Another plus is that admission is free, which means you’ll still have some leftover cash to hit the bars after. Sure, it may not be as popular as baseball, but at least the traffic won’t be nearly as heinous as after a Sox game.

A contributor writing for DirectoryofBoston.com, Megan Johnson is originally from Connecticut, but has lived in Boston since age 18. She is a frequent contributor to MenuPages Boston, Butterfly Diary, SweetTalk on the Spot, and Reinventing Beauty Magazine. You can visit her website at www.meganjohnson.tumblr.com.

Photo: The Unofficial Apple Weblog