Underwater hockey meetup group for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
We invite you to try Underwater Hockey ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_hockey) , a fun and competitive sport for people of all ages and genders.
WHAT:
Underwater hockey is played on the bottom of a 6-12 foot deep swimming pool by two teams of six. Players wear fins, mask, snorkel, a protective glove and headgear (the same kind as for water polo).
The stick is short, approximately 1 foot long and made of wood or plastic polymer. The puck is heavy, around 3 lb. and coated with a protective layer of hard plastic. The goals are 3 meters (9’) long.
Play and strategy is similar to soccer or ice hockey except that the playing surface is at the bottom of a pool. The rules are "non-contact" and players generally cover zones around the puck. Success (scoring) ultimately depends on teamwork, since no single person can hold her breath forever.
Play is fast and exciting - you go at it hard while holding your breath. The sport offers great cross-training for scuba divers, runners, swimmers, and bikers. Plus, because it's non-contact and underwater, people of different sizes and genders play on an equal field.
WHO?
Practices are open to men and women of all ages. Beginners are always welcome.
Playing Underwater Hockey requires good physical stamina and swimming abilities. People interested in playing Underwater Hockey should be in good physical shape, able to swim well, and able or willing to learn to snorkel.
Practices usually consist of scrimmage and instructional sessions, so there's something for everyone. Please note that most of our players do not use this meetup page, so we generally have many more attendees than is reflected by the meetup page attendance count.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
If you are new to the sport, the first time is for free. After that, you pay on a per-practice basis, typically $6-$8.
WHAT DO I BRING?
If you have snorkeling gear (mask, fins and snorkel) that you'd like to use, feel free to bring it, but we have equipment for you to borrow.
All you really need is a
- swimsuit
- a towel.
Optionally you may want to bring a
- a lock to lock your belongings in one of the available lockers
- white clean gym socks for added foot protection when wearing the fins
- shampoo.
It is best not to eat a large meal less than an hour before practice to avoid possible stomach upset.
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