Underwater Hockey
What is it?
This has got to be the world’s craziest game! While living in Russia I tried to explain to my mates just what this game is, but they could not comprehend it. So I told them “It’s the same as your ice hockey, played on a deep lake with the ice melted…” they just thought I was crazy!
Where did it come from?
In 1954 the Southsea Sub-aqua club in Portsmouth England invented the game to keep from loosing members over the winter when it was too cold to dive. Originally called “Octo-push” because it had 8 players per team who used a small stick called a pusher, it is still known by this name in the UK.
For more details checkout the wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_hockey
How did you end up here?
My eldest son Mitch is not really built for football or cricket, so while at school he tried out for underwater hockey. Because you don’t need fine eye/hand co-ordination, only a big set of lungs, he was a natural! The thing I like most about this game, is because it’s non contact, and your are floating in a 3D playing field, kids from 12 years of age up to oldies aged 70 could all play this game together and nobody gets hurt. (Apart from the odd kick in the stomach, or having your mask ripped off in the heat of the moment) Imagine if 12 year olds were playing footy against 25 year old muscle men? Well here the kids are nibble and quick, while the oldies are wise and cunning, making a game where everyone can be a winner.
So Mitch invited me to join the Underwater Hockey club. Now he has gone to University and never comes to hockey, while I am still stuck driving half the neighbourhood’s kids to the pool. I have now been there so long, I’m President of the club!
Although it’s played all over the world, it will never be a spectator sport… all you can see is fins and bubbles!!!!
How could you end up here?
We play on Wednesday nights at 7.30pm at Norlane Waterworld. We are desperate for new players and would welcome people of any age or ability to join our “family like” group of breath holders. Why not come and give it a try? See our MD Media web page:
