Octopush/Underwater Hockey is a team sport played on the bottom of the swimming pool. Players wear snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins), waterpolo hats and a padded glove on their playing hand. Short sticks held in one hand are used to push and flick a weighted puck across the pool bottom. Gulleys/goals lie on the bottom at each end and players hold their breath to dive to the bottom of
the pool and engage in play, returning to the surface to recover their breath through their snorkel. The game is usually played as 6-a-side, it can be fast and furious, with good team play essential as players must return to the surface periodically to breathe. Players develop excellent fitness, and as well as puck handling skills, tackling, passing, shooting, dummies, turns etc. they also learn positional and support play which must be accomplished without the benefit of vocal communication during play. Many long lasting friendships have been developed through involvement in our sport, both within the club and with other members of the uk octopush community, with players going on to play in student and adult teams throughout the uk and some representing GB in international tournaments at U19, U23 and elite level, as well as playing with Pembroke senior team who play at a high level in national competition, currently standing at 10th in the UK.
