Frequently Asked Questions

Underwater hockey (also called Octopush) is a non-contact team sport played on the bottom of a swimming pool. Two teams of six players each use short, curved sticks to manoeuvre a weighted lead puck along the pool floor, trying to push it into the opposing team's goal trough. Players wear a snorkel, mask, and freediving fins, and must hold their breath to reach the puck before surfacing to breathe. It combines swimming, freediving, and team tactics in a completely unique sporting experience.

Underwater hockey was invented in England in 1954 by Alan Blake and his group, The Southsea Sub-Aqua Club. They developed the sport as a way to keep divers fit over winter. Originally called "Octopush," the sport spread internationally through diving clubs and was introduced to Australia by British expatriates in the late 1960s. Today it is played in over 40 countries and governed internationally by CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques).

A standard match consists of two halves of 15 minutes each, with a short half-time break of around 3–5 minutes. The clock continues while the puck is in play. Total elapsed time is typically 35–45 minutes per match. In competition, quarters or periods may vary depending on the tournament format. Junior and social competitions often use shorter periods of 10–12 minutes per half to accommodate all players.

All live play happens on the pool floor — the puck must remain on the bottom surface at all times. Players dive down to play and surface frequently to breathe, but the puck itself is never "in play" above the pool floor. Substitutions and communications happen from the pool deck or surface. The pool depth is typically 2–4 metres, meaning players are only underwater for short bursts before resurfacing. This is what makes the sport so dynamic — constant diving and surfacing creates rapid player rotations and changes of possession.

The essential equipment includes: a low-volume freediving mask, a short snorkel, long-blade freediving fins, a UWH stick (max 350mm, curved), a protective glove for the stick hand (usually neoprene or plastic), and a water polo-style ear-protective cap. Most clubs provide loaner gear for beginners, so you can try the sport before investing. When you're ready to buy your own, entry-level kits are available through specialist aquatic retailers and online. Expect to spend $150–$400 for a complete beginner setup.

Standard swimming goggles are not permitted as they do not protect the eyes when diving. A proper freediving or diving mask (full nose and eye coverage) is required. Regular scuba fins are generally too large and cumbersome for the fast, short movements of UWH — long-blade freediving fins are recommended. Scuba equipment (tanks, regulators, BCD) is completely prohibited. The sport relies entirely on breath-hold diving, which is a core part of the game's challenge and appeal.

You need to be a competent, confident swimmer — comfortable in deep water and able to float and tread water without difficulty. You don't need to be an elite swimmer or competitive athlete to start. Most clubs run beginner programmes where the emphasis is on getting comfortable with the equipment and the underwater environment before focusing on skills and tactics. As long as you can swim 200m continuously without stopping, you'll be fine to give it a go. Your fitness and skill will develop quickly through regular participation.

Use the Find a Club page on this website to locate affiliated clubs by state. Each club listing includes contact details, training times, and location. Most clubs welcome new members at any time. Simply contact the club directly — many offer a free trial session so you can try before you commit. Once you've decided to join, you'll need to register as a UWH Australia member and pay your annual club and national membership fees. Club websites and social media pages also list upcoming beginner nights and open training sessions.

Underwater hockey is a lifelong sport with no upper age limit — we have players in their 60s and 70s competing in Masters grades. For junior players, most clubs accept members from age 10 upward, provided they meet minimum swimming competency standards. Children under 14 are usually required to have a parent or guardian sign a participation waiver, and may play in age-appropriate modified formats. Specific age grades include: Junior (under 19), Open (any age), and Masters (35+). Check with your local club for their age-specific policies.

The competition pathway in Australian UWH runs from club-level through to international. As a new player, you'll typically start in your club's social or beginner grade games, then move to club internal competitions and intra-club tournaments. From there, you can represent your club in state-based competitions (run by each state association), and if selected, represent your state at the Australian National Championships. High-performing athletes can be selected for the Australian representative squads (Stingrays) for Pacific and World championship events.

The Australian National Championships is held annually, typically in August. The host state rotates between NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, and WA. The championships feature multiple divisions including Men's Open, Women's Open, Mixed Open, Masters (35+), and Junior (U19). State selection is conducted through each state body's trials process in the months leading up to the event. The full schedule and registration details are published on the Events page each year.

Underwater hockey has an excellent safety record. The sport is classified as non-contact, meaning deliberate physical contact with opposing players is prohibited and penalised. All clubs must have trained lifeguards poolside during sessions, and UWH Australia's safety guidelines require all venues to meet minimum safety standards. The main risks are incidental contact from sticks or fins during play — similar to other aquatic sports. Players are encouraged never to hyperventilate before diving, to always play with a buddy present, and to signal immediately if experiencing any difficulty. The ear-protective cap also reduces the risk of tympanic injuries.

Yes. UWH Australia takes child safety extremely seriously. All coaches, referees, and club officials working with under-18 players must hold a valid Working With Children Check (or state equivalent). Our Child Safety Policy outlines mandatory reporting obligations, appropriate supervision ratios, and codes of conduct for adults working with minors. A copy of the full policy is available on the Documents page. Any concerns about child safety should be reported immediately to the club's designated child safety officer or directly to the relevant state authority.