Underwater Hockey VS Underwater Rugby - What’s the Difference?

Today, increasing numbers of people are getting involved with underwater sports, to channel their love for the water and have fun while pursuing their fitness goals. However, when looking for an underwater sport to get involved with, it may be difficult to decide between Underwater Hockey and Underwater Rugby. You may be asking:

What’s the difference?
Which sport is right for me?
What experience do I need?

In today’s D.finitive blog post, we’ll be answering these questions to help you make an informed decision between the two, and give you a heads up on what you can expect at a first session. Let’s take a look!

Credit: Waidi's Unterwasser Rugby - via Wikimedia Commons (LINK)

What’s the difference?

First, underwater hockey is a 6 vs 6 team sport, played typically in a 2m deep pool. The aim of the game is to use a special underwater hockey stick to flick a weighted puck into a metal goal at the other end of the pool. Players usually wear:

Mask - to enable players to see underwater.
Snorkel - to help quickly take in air at the surface.
Fins - to propel themselves through the water.
Stick - to push / flick the puck along the bottom of the pool.
Glove - to protect against collisions with sticks or the puck itself.

In contrast, underwater rugby is also a 6 versus 6 team sport, typically played in a dive pit (ranges in depth from 3-5m). Instead of a puck, UWR uses a saltwater filled ball that gently sinks to the bottom. The aim is to deliver the ball into a basket-like goal on the other side of the pool. The kit is far more lightweight, with only:

Mask - to enable players to see underwater.
Snorkel - to help quickly take in air at the surface.
Fins - to propel themselves through the water.

There are a few critical differences to bear in mind:

UWH typically uses normal pools (1.5 - 3m depth), while UWR uses dive pits (3-5m depth), as this is necessary to facilitate rugby’s true three-dimensional gameplay.
UWH jjis completely non-contact, so while you may clash for the puck, you won’t have any physical collisions. In contrast, in UWR you are allowed to physically wrestle the ball off your opponents. While it’s more rough, you’re always safe as you can only tackle someone when they are holding the ball.
UWH uses more kit, with the glove and stick involved, so it may take a bit more time to get used to the equipment than UWR.

Credit: Wouss - via Wikimedia Commons (LINK)

Which sport is right for me?

Personally, I have recently been trying out Underwater Rugby as a long time Underwater Hockey player. Even with my experience using the equipment, it still took me time to get used to the physicality of the sport. You are frequently using your bodyweight to grab, push or lever players out the way - a level of contact you won’t find in any other sport.

Therefore, if you are new to underwater sports as a whole, I would sooner recommend Underwater Hockey. The shallower depth and lack of physical collisions makes it far more accessible to new audiences, even with the initial challenge of the equipment.

In contrast, if you are an existing Underwater Hockey player, I can’t express enough how rewarding Underwater Rugby is. People always describe UWH as a “3D sport”, but UWR really uses the whole space in a way that doesn’t compare. It rewards physical power, control over the space, AND agility in the water - definitely worth a try!

Credit: The Underwater Club of UNSW - via Wikimedia Commons (LINK)

What experience do I need?

For both sports, provided you are comfortable being under the water, and are able to dive down, everything else can be taught fairly easily. Today, most clubs will supply all the kit you need, you just need to bring your own swimwear. It’s a common misconception that you need to be an excellent swimmer, or be incredibly fit, to enjoy UWH or UWR. All you need is to be safe in (and under) the water, and you’ll find quickly that the kit feels weightless and easy to use.

However, if you struggle with your sinuses, you may find the depth difficult in either sport, so this is something to keep in mind. Remember to equalise when you dive to the bottom, and allow your body time to adjust - sometimes it takes a bit to get used to. Regardless, there is no “correct” body type or level of experience to try an underwater sport. Get out there and give it a go!

Plus, if you are looking for an Underwater Hockey club to try, I would recommend uwhmap.com , an excellent tool for finding a club near you! Message / email ahead, and your local club will teach you everything you need to know.