NW Valley Times

Two teams recently clashed in a novel form of intramurals called battleship, hosted at the Grove pool as part of Grand Canyon University (GCU) Intramural Sports. The event, which combines strategy and water-throwing skills, opened its season amid drizzles and chilly temperatures, but participants were undeterred.

The game involves a real-time clash between teams trying to sink each other's canoes by filling them with water. Logan Demeter of team Operation Overload remarked on the intensity of the experience, stating, “I didn’t know how freezing it would be, but I love it. It’s pure chaos."

Operation Overload faced off against Fatties 2.0, who emerged victorious after intense rounds of drenching warfare. Student worker Jake Laufenberg noted the surprising level of physical exertion involved, saying, “It’s surprising, it’s really tiring."

The sport is part of an initiative by Intramural Sports Manager Mike Fox to diversify GCU's sports offerings and to utilize the campus's abundant pool resources. “With GCU’s year-round pool access, we wanted to take advantage of the great weather and offer students a truly unique experience,” Fox commented.

The semester witnessed 462 participants engaging in activities like battleship and innertube water polo, culminating in a tournament won by Blink 132. Earlier, Fatties 2.0 had showcased their strategy with rapid bailing and water gun tactics, sinking opponents to emerge as significant contenders.

Despite their loss, Demeter of Operation Overload acknowledged the less serious ambiance of the game compared to traditional sports like basketball. “Some are more serious, especially when it comes to basketball. But I try to keep it fun,” he stated.

The atmosphere of unpredictability defined the tournament. Taylor Waltermire, a key player for Fatties 2.0, succinctly summarized their approach: “We don’t even know what it is.”

The battleship game, conceived from a concept Mike Fox played in college, adds to GCU's repertoire of 25 sports, aimed at engaging the university's 6,000 students.

Grand Canyon University senior writer Mike Kilen can be reached at [email protected]