What we're about
Underwater hockey meetup group for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
If you are comfortable in the water, willing to learn/able to use snorkel, fins, and mask 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.
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?
The first time is for free. After that, you pay on a per-practice basis, typically $5-$9.
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.
Upcoming events (4+)
Come and learn about the fun, fast-paced, 3-dimensional sport of Underwater Hockey (UWH)!
Check out this video for a primer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dx389i3Ses
The first 30 minutes is an orientation introducing you to our club (Minnesota Loons) and the basic rules of the sport.
After signing a waiver, you will jump into the pool to get familiar with the gear, do some basic drills, and play in a scrimmage (optional).
Prior swimming and snorkeling experience is helpful (but not required).
Being able to dive to a depth of 12 ft is helpful; otherwise, we can show you how!
Please bring the following:
- Swimsuit and towel
- Optional: Pair of sweat socks. This can help protect your feet from chafing on the fins.
- Optional: Shampoo
- Optional: A quarter for a locker room locker
We have the hockey gear, snorkel, mask, and fins for you to borrow.
Please meet in the lobby area at the Community Center Entrance.
After this meetup, you can join us at any of our future scrimmages at this and other pools across the metro area (we meet in the pool area).
Please keep your RSVP up to date, as this meetup will only occur if there is at least one attendee.
If another date works better for you, please message the event host, and we can add a date.
- Steve C.
- 1 attendee
Thursday nite open scrimmage at Brooklyn Center Community Center Pool
- K
- Matt O.
- ash2072
- 4 attendees
Tuesday nite open scrimmage at Phillips Pool
Format: 1st Half Drills/Skills, 2nd Half Scrimmage
- K
- Matt O.
- Chrissy O
- 3 attendees
Thursday nite open scrimmage at Brooklyn Center Community Center Pool
- K
- Matt O.
- Chrissy O
- 3 attendees
Past events (1,352)
- Chrissy O
- K
- Matt O.
- 4 attendees
