WHAT IS UNDERWATER HOCKEY?

Underwater Hockey is a breath holding sport, played with snorkel equipment on the bottom of a swimming pool. Like ice hockey, there are 6 players a side, with substitutes, and the object is to push or pass the puck into opposing teams goal.

A team is comprised of 10 players (6 in water and 4 substitutes). Each player is outfitted with a bathing suit, mask, snorkel, fins, a glove, stick, head cap, and mouthguard. The stick is usually made of wood, about 8 inches long and painted black or white to designate the team. The stick is held in one hand and is used to pull, push or flick (shoot) the puck. The puck is about the same size as an ice hockey puck, however is filled with lead and weighs about 1200gms. A good player can shoot the puck over 3 meters and get good height on it as well! The goal is a metal trough about 3 meters long that the puck must enter for a goal to be scored.

There is no goalie in underwater hockey, however teams have players designated as forwards and defense. Depending on what formation is being played, is how many of the players are defensemen and forwards.

Regulation games are 33 minutes - 2 - 15 minute halves, with a 3 minute half time. Games can go into overtime periods.

Unlike Ice Hockey, which incorporates checking and body contact, Underwater Hockey is technically a non-contact game with no checking. The game is refereed by 2 -3 water referees who signal to a deck referee when a foul is observed. The deck referee stops the game by use of an underwater signaling device. Penalties range from advantage pucks, 1, 2 & 5 minute penalties for increasingly severe penalties and to a game dismissal.

Underwater Hockey is a team sport. There are no "top goal scorers", because the whole team contributes to the act of the puck going in the goal. At elite levels players are in peak physical conditions, however the sport at recreational levels can be played by people of all ages, sex, and body type. It is a game of strategy and skill and younger kids can play with adults, women with men, and the fit and not so fit can enjoy this sport. The only requirement is a love of water and the ability to swim a few laps.

Underwater Hockey was first invented in 1954 in England and has spread to many countries. Underwater Hockey is not a well advertised sport (it does not have the ability to sell a lot of Beer commercials!), however is played in just about every major city around the world. Over 25 countries have National Hockey Associations that are represented on the World Level, by the Confederation Mondiale des Activities Subaquatique (CMAS). CMAS is a world renowned diving organization, and organizes World Underwater Hockey Championships held every two years. These championships first started in 1980 and had just 4 teams playing in one division. Now the championships boast up to 50 teams playing in 6 divisions: Men's, Women's, Open Masters, Women's Masters, Youth under 19 and Women under 19. The next Worlds are scheduled for Sheffield England in 2006.