It’s not only the best sport you’ve never heard of – it’s probably the best sport you will never see.
But from August 25, underwater hockey will make a splash at Woy Woy’s Peninsula Leisure Centre every Sunday from 1pm.
Co-ordinator for underwater hockey on the Central Coast Craig Anthony said despite its low profile, the sport was an amazing game that anyone could play.
“Most people have no idea about the sport,” he said.
“And when I tell people I play underwater hockey they can’t even imagine it.”
Anthony said the game was actually pretty simple.
“It is just as it sounds – hockey played underwater,” he said.
There are six players a side with each player wearing fins, mask and a snorkel and holding a 30cm hockey stick in one hand.
And on the bottom of the pool is a plastic coated lead puck.
“The game is actually the only three-dimensional ball sport,” Anthony said.
“With most ball sports you’ve got the playing surface and the column of air above it.
“With underwater hockey you’ve got the bottom of the pool where the puck is, the column of water above it and the surface of the pool.
“You have to be in the right position on the surface to get to the puck so the game can be incredibly strategic.”
And it is very fast.
“People just don’t believe how fast it is,” Anthony said.
“A good player can flick the puck three metres and it is basically non-stop.”
Despite this, the game can be played by anyone.
Anthony said underwater hockey isn’t about how long you can hold your breath.
“A recent study showed that elite players hold their breath for between five and seven seconds on average whereas B and C grade players hold their breath for around 12 to 15 seconds,” he said.
“The difference is the elite players get on the puck quickly, engage in the play and then return to the surface to reposition themselves and then do it all again so it is as much about quick recovery as breath holding.”
It is also a safe sport with the risk of blackout and drowning virtually impossible.
A New Zealand scientific study showed that it was similar to competing in swimming races as far as oxygen and carbon dioxide loads were concerned.
The sport is also pretty much free from serious injury.
“You aren’t going to get concussed, or need a shoulder or knee reconstruction playing underwater hockey unless you slip on the side of the pool getting in or out of the water,” Anthony said.
“And it’s a game you can play from your early teens until your 80s.
“For people who love high energy team sport but have bad knees and ankles from years of wear and tear, underwater hockey gives them the opportunity to continue to enjoy the feeling that only competitive team sport gives you.”
Anthony said it was the perfect sport for teenagers.
“Underwater hockey is a body equal sport,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what size or shape you are, the water makes everyone pretty much the same.
“And an added bonus is that in the water you can’t hear anything from the sidelines so there is none of the added pressure that can come from sideline supporters.
“Also to see the game you have to be in the water and it is pretty hard to cheer or yell abuse with a mouthful of water.”
Anthony said the Peninsula Leisure Centre pool would allow games to be played on two courts simultaneously allowing different age, fitness and skill levels to be catered for.
“We have plenty of gear for people to come and try underwater hockey out, and it’s not exactly a spectator sport,” he said.
“You have to be in the water to see it so you might as well play.”
For any enquiries or an information kit email ccuwh.play@gmail.com
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