Men's and women's water polo teams from across the Pacific Northwest will compete on a floating course in Lakewood Bay starting Friday, Aug. 14, and anyone with a view of the water from Millennium Plaza Park can watch for free.

The Lake Oswego Water Polo Club and the Lakeshore Lake Oswego Inn are co-hosting the third annual Oswego Lake Open Water Invitational from Friday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 16.

Matches run 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, according to the Lake Oswego Review.

A youth exhibition game kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday, with age groups ranging from 14-and-under to adult across the weekend.

Club director and head coach Daniel Ramirez, who has led the Lake Oswego Water Polo Club for roughly five years, said the event is a chance for the community to see a sport that rarely gets a public stage.

"We encourage the community to come out and enjoy a game, support our athletes and soak in a summer weekend on the lake," Ramirez said in a statement to the Lake Oswego Review.

The tournament debuted in August 2024 as the first open-water polo competition held on Oswego Lake. It returned in June 2025 on the same Lakewood Bay course near the Lakeshore Inn. This year's edition expands to three full days of play with both men's and women's divisions competing throughout.

Ramirez, who grew up playing water polo in San Diego before moving to Portland about nine years ago, received the 2023 Ted Newland Distinguished Coaching Award from USA Water Polo for boys' developmental coaching. Under his leadership, the club has grown steadily. As of April 2024, LOWPO had about 100 athletes competing year-round, with more than 60 in the 14-and-under program. The club fields teams from 10U through high school.

That pipeline is producing results at the national level. LOWPO goalkeeper Teodora Grigore was selected to represent the Pacific Northwest zone at the 2026 USA Water Polo Girls ODP National Championships.

Spectators can set up along Millennium Plaza Park at 200 First St. in downtown Lake Oswego, which overlooks the sectioned-off course on Lakewood Bay. No tickets or registration required.

Upcoming community events:

  • Oswego Lake Open Water Invitational: Friday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 16, Lakewood Bay at Millennium Plaza Park. Free to watch.
  • Lake Oswego Collector Car and Boat Show: Sunday, Aug. 30, George Rogers Park. Marks 25 years.