Weirdest sports that are more popular on YouTube than Water Polo

Some weirder than others

As a promoter of water polo I consume a lot of sports on YouTube. When I come across a weird sport getting a lot views, even if it’s just for the spectacle, I try to figure out if there’s anything water polo can borrow to increase its popularity.

So let’s take a look at the five coolest sports I’ve come across recently and see if anything can be learned:

1. Car Jitsu
   Jiujitsu in a car. Yes you are allowed to strangle people with seatbelts. Yes of course a Russian invented this.

2. Wife Carrying Championships

   Really the perfect sport.

3. Figure 8 School Bus Racing

   Any sport involving school buses is cool.

4. Cheese Rolling

   My guess is there’s a high injury rate.

5. Death Diving

   Despite the name this is might be the least dangerous and closest to a real sport on this list. And perhaps the least interesting of the bunch.

So what can we learn from the dumb goofy sports above?

1. High quality footage. The video has to look good even if it’s not a high prestige event. People appreciate interesting visuals. They want color. They want action.

2. Don’t be afraid to be weird. People are looking for something different. We have a tendency to over-explain or normalize water polo. These sports are fun because they’re dumb and weird. That’s okay.

3. Jump right into the action. I watch so many LEN broadcasts or FINA/World Aquatics games that take forever to get going. Jump straight into the action.

4. Create live events with enthusiastic competitors and spectators even if the crowds are small. Excitement translates on camera.

What do you guys think? Is there anything else we can borrow for water polo? Any cool sports I missed?