Gwangju, South Korea.— Beach water polo is all about action, fast breaks, many goals, many, many goals and more goals.

The ball whips up the field at lightning speed and the goal scored. The attacker has to defend within seconds as the goalkeeper restarts and sometimes puts you at a disadvantage.

The most disadvantaged person is the scorekeeper, furiously trying to keep up with the goals and fouls.

In fact, this is almost insurmountable, especially like today when Canada men defeated Argentina 27-15 — all that in just 20 minutes of action. Mistakes can be made.

A normal match takes 32 minutes and Hungary's 64-goal win over Korean women on Sunday was something else, but at least there was more than an hour to record the fact.

It's relentless. And there's the grabbing and the kickouts. And the rules are different.

No, the flying subs are not allowed.

No, you can't have more than four players in the field.

Yes, you can have umbrellas, palm trees and sand and floral clothing, but not in Gwangju.

Sadly, the crowds have not flocked to this magnificent new style of play in Gwangju.

New? Not really. Water polo has been played in lakes, rivers and the oceans for more than a century.

It looks funny in the pool here in Gwangju, but it's demonstrating what can happen and teams from various continents are giving it a go.

Wow, 27-15, while the second match, between Canada and Argentina was 14-14, but a goalkeeper was allowed over halfway...

It's fast and furious and only one referee officiates, in itself a tough ask.

Will it replace real water polo? Of course, not.

However, it's a brand for the little countries, the places with inadequate water and possibly a cheaper version of the wonderful sport of water polo.

Perhaps one day it will achieve a high status. Let's hope so as it will appeal the people of all ages and persuasions in which they can have fun, make new friends and be part of the aquatic family — the FINA family.

You can play mixed — and many countries do — which is what FINA is trying to do in all the disciplines.

You can have fun, lots of it. You can stand on the bottom at the beach as the tide goes out. You can throw seaweed at your opponents (or your mates), perhaps even ride a wave to the goal.

Just avoid the sharks...