Is Underwater Hockey the Best Sport in the World?
Underwater Hockey - "Octopush" in the UK - has a rich 70-year history, with many hundreds of clubs worldwide. Yet even today people still ask “What is Underwater Hockey?”
But this is completely the wrong question! Every day, millions of people go to their local pool to improve their personal fitness. But let’s face it, grinding out lengths is a lonely endeavour. Wouldn't it be better if you could enjoy the water, improve your cardiovascular health, while also getting the social benefits you might expect of, say, a running club?
In this spirit, the right question to ask yourself is: "What can Underwater Hockey do for ME?"
And the answer is - a LOT!
1. UWH gets you fit!
Playing Underwater Hockey is like running hill sprints while holding your breath: high-intensity bursts of energy separated by periods of recovery. It sounds like a challenge, but - as with Aquarobics - the water cools you down, letting your body work as hard as you feel comfortable with. Every moment is different, making it fast-paced and engaging .
Credit: DavidUnderwater via Wikimedia Commons (LINK)
2. UWH is easier than you think…
At first, the equipment - fins, mask, snorkel, glove, stick - sounds unwieldy and a bit scuba-like. But after a few minutes in your first session, the kit feels largely weightless: and from there you get to enjoy the surprising speed and power that it offers you. In my own experience, almost all players that I teach are able to play confidently in a match by the second half of their first session. You don’t even need to be a competitive swimmer - as long as you’re happy diving under the water, the rest comes naturally with time.
Credit: Velella via Wikimedia Commons (LINK)
3. UWH is built to be social!
It is true that, because it is played underwater, you cannot call out verbally to other players during play. However, while you may think this makes it less collaborative, I believe the opposite is true. You have to be aware of where your teammates are in the pool, and get an innate feel for where they will be in a few moments time. This demands even greater synergy with your team, and means forming even greater friendships.
Credit: Hendrik Van Der Berg via Wikimedia Commons (LINK)
So... is Underwater Hockey the best sport in the world?
For me, the answer is that... it could be, if we can find ways to communicate the sport to new players in a way that is unapologetic, genuine, and empathetic to their needs. There is certainly a gap in the pool sport market that UWH has the potential to fill. But are we confident enough to stake our claim? Only time will tell.
