Unusual Sports to Play in Texas
Football season may be in full swing, but there’s more action in Texas than touchdowns. We’re not talking about mini golf or dodgeball; we’re talking about activities far outside the “usual sports” box. It’s a big, weird world out there — especially in the Lone Star State — and trying something new might just lead to your next great obsession.
Kayak Polo
Although kayak polo (also known as canoe polo) dates back to the late 1800s, the modern version didn’t gain popularity in the United States until the 1990s. Now it’s all the rage in Texas, a way to stay cool while being active outdoors. Two teams of five kayakers face off in intense 10-minute halves, using their hands or paddles to get the ball into the opposing team’s nets, which are suspended about six feet above the water at each end of the game space.
For a maximum of five seconds, the offense dribbles or coasts with the ball (no paddling with the ball in hand), while the defense does their best to get in the way and knock the ball carrier over. After five seconds, you must give up the ball. It’s rough, unpredictable, and breathtakingly fun.
Where to Play: The Austin Aquabats club is active and beginner-friendly, offering inexpensive gear and instruction for first-timers while also housing nationally competitive teams.
Axe Throwing
Yes, axe throwing is popular for dates and team-building events, but it’s also a serious competitive sport, demanding concentration, accuracy, and strength. Inspired by lumberjack competitions of yore, axe throwing began appearing in urban venues in the mid-2000s with popular clubs making their Texas debut in the 2010s.
In competitive axe throwing, each player has 10 throws to score points on a standardized target with five ringed scoring zones and small “kill shot” spots around the edge. To get points for a kill shot, you have to announce beforehand that you’re aiming for it.
In a casual setting, you might mix it up by aiming for balloons, throwing your axes onto a tic-tac-toe grid, scoring and “closing” numbers as in a game of darts, or incorporating fun elements such as black lights and costumes.
Where to Play: Most big cities in Texas have one or more axe-throwing venues, and mobile axe-throwing “pop-ups” will even come directly to your event. If you want to really release your inner lumberjack, look for a league in your city or one nearby.
Pickleball
Though it might be a stretch to call such a wildly popular sport “unconventional,” a list like this wouldn’t be complete without pickleball. Invented in 1965, the sport has experienced explosive growth in popularity over the past decade, becoming America’s fastest-growing sport in 2022, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
This scrappy paddle game was cobbled together by friends who had a badminton net, some table tennis paddles, a Wiffle ball, and nothing to do. It’s easy to pick up and can be played as singles or doubles. Texan enthusiasm for pickleball can’t be overstated, and there’s no sign of this trend losing momentum anytime soon. Austin, with an estimated 8,000–10,000 regular pickleball players, is arguably the most pickleball-obsessed city in this pickleball-obsessed state.
Where to Play: There are public and private pickleball courts in pretty much every major Texas city.
Roller Derby
Now a popular sport worldwide, modern women’s roller derby came into its own in the early 2000s. Austin’s Texas Rollergirls are consistently ranked among the top leagues in the country.
Played either on a banked (sloped) track or a flat track, the game matches up two teams of five, with four defensive skaters (“blockers”) and one on offense (“jammer”). The jammer scores points by lapping opponents on the track, while the other team’s blockers do their best to stop them. Roller derby is a full-contact sport, but for some people, rough play is part of the charm. While most leagues are open to women, coed and junior leagues also exist.
Where to Play: Most major cities in Texas have their own roller derby leagues, and many leagues offer beginner training programs, often referred to as “fresh meat” or “boot camps.” Check websites or social media for dates and more information. If you’re brand-new to skating, consider practicing at your local roller rink before diving into derby.
Underwater Hockey
This 100% real dive sport originated in the United Kingdom in 1954 as a training method for divers. Underwater hockey is played at the bottom of a pool and was initially known by the more whimsical moniker “octopush.” Equipped with fins, masks, and snorkels, two teams of six compete to push a weighted puck into the other team’s goal using short sticks.
Holding your breath is obviously essential — players are typically submerged for 5 to 20 seconds at a time — but speed and power are also crucial. Teams begin on opposite sides of the pool with the puck at the bottom in the middle, and when the buzzer indicates the start of the game, whoever gets to the puck first takes possession. It’s wild, wacky, and fast-paced.
Where to Play: The DFW Aquatoros play every Wednesday night and welcome newcomers. Underwater hockey is also offered at the UTHealth Houston Recreation Center on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8:15–9:15 p.m.
Looking for a new hobby but aren’t the sporty type? Here are a few suggestions.
