Underwater Hockey

[RabiSpear]

Ha, ha, ha. Yuck it up, but this is a serious post. Is there anyone on this board that participates in, or has any knowledge of, any underwater hockey clubs in Florida? I don't know anything about it, other than the entire sport is played while holding your breath and it is big among divers in Australia, South Africa, Europe, California and the NE. I looked it up on the web and it looks like there are some folks doing it in South Florida. I am determined to either revive my water polo career or look into this over the winter. Any info would be appriciated.

PS- I assume it is harder than underwater basket weaving...

PPS- Seriously, stop laughing!

[Rolo]

You may also want to post this question in the "other" web site. I know for certain of an East coast freediver, who competes in Nationals every year, that plays underwater hockey weekly. Don't know if it's done regularly on the west coast, but the east coast does have a few organizations that play.

I also hear there's alot of fighting and Canadians like to watch while sipping on Molson beer.:D

[Aguaji]

Speaking about "shady" characters.

But true, the guy does play hockey.

[DFC5343]

It isn't a well known sport but it is a blast plus works your breath hold. Still have a few of the brass pucks somewheres...

[Denny]

The programmer for OFFSHORE HUNTER played u/w hockey for years. He has mentioned that he would like to do it again. Email him at Frank@offshorehunter.com.

[Screen Name]

I would like to join too if it is on our coast. I never tried it before and I'm sure I would not be a star player.........but I'm reliable.

The only problem is, sometimes I shoot hogfish that are less than 20". :D

[Denny]

Not very often though, eh Screen? Call Frank about the hockey. He told me that it made his breath hold skills very strong, and it was a blast. Frank used to freedive to 60 &70 feet in Cal for Abalone.

[Dive4Blood]

Gnarly!

[bheath]

Yes, if it is near Pinellas County, I am interested.

Brent

[Dive Ranger]

Rabi,

I was in Gainesville yesterday on business (bad timing, I guess . . . after seeing Cam and Greg's stringers) and, while eating lunch I picked up one of those free newspapers that contain such quality reading. There was an article in it about an underwater hockey team that practices in Gainesville. I know it's out of your way, but maybe there're others around.

I'll be interested to see the results of this thread as I'd like to give that sport a try myself.

TH

[fishhunta]

My girlfriend is a national competitor. She plays with a club in Miami, WPB, and Gainsville. Those are the only ones I know of, but pm me with any questions or I'll have her post on here later.........

[fernandezh]

I play pocket pool :D

[richhermes]

Do you use safety cones in u/w hockey?;)

[AbDiver]

Rabi, This is Frank that Denny mentioned. I would like to get a group of guys together to play if there is enough interest. It takes a minimum of 8 people (4 to a team) to play. The preferred team size is 6 people so if there were 10-12 people who wanted to do it on a regular basis I would get it set up. I have a puck and a few sticks and could make enough sticks to play with. The only thing each player would need to have is their own mask, snorkle and fins and a glove to protect their hand. I live in Tampa and the other thing we need is a pool to play in. I have no problem checking around for a pool to get setup to play either in Tampa or in Pinellas county somewhere. The preferred pool is a 12 foot deep retangular diving pool. It can be played in any lap pool as an alternate. I used to compete about 10 years ago and went to the world championship one year in San Diego. It is a blast to play and will help keep you in shape for freediving.

Let me know who here would be interested in getting this started.

Frank

[Grauer]

Im not sure how good I d be at at it, but id be willng to give it a try. BTW gald to see you made it on board Frank.

Chris

[Mutt]

I'm in..keep me posted in U/W Hockey! Also, I have also attempted to build interest in a water polo club....pinellas has been fairly dead in the past....please post if anyone has any serious interest.....