Underwater hockey, a non-contact sport played at the bottom of a swimming pool, remains one of the most technically demanding yet least-recognized disciplines in global athletics. Known internationally as “Octopush,” the sport requires participants to maneuver a weighted puck into an opponent’s goal using a short stick, all while managing breath-hold capacity in a three-dimensional environment. According to the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS), which serves as the international governing body for the sport, underwater hockey has evolved from a 1954 invention in the United Kingdom into a competitive pursuit featuring organized world championships and standardized tactical play.
The sport originated in Portsmouth, England, when Alan Blake and members of the Southsea Sub-Aqua Club sought a way to keep club members active and engaged during the winter months when open-water diving was impractical. Today, the game is played by two teams of six players, with four additional substitutes, in a pool typically ranging from two to four meters in depth. Players wear masks, snorkels, fins, and a protective glove on the hand used to hold the stick. Because the sport takes place entirely underwater, communication is limited, forcing teams to rely on highly developed situational awareness and pre-planned tactical rotations.
One of the primary challenges for newcomers is the physiological demand of the sport, which combines anaerobic exertion with the need for rhythmic breath control. Unlike surface-based team sports, underwater hockey players must constantly manage their “bottom time”—the duration they can effectively contribute to a play before needing to surface for air. This necessity creates a fluid, rotating substitution system where players cycle in and out of the action to ensure that fresh, oxygenated teammates are always available to maintain pressure on the puck. The British Octopush Association notes that this constant movement and the requirement to operate in three dimensions—with opponents potentially approaching from above or below—differentiate it significantly from two-dimensional field sports.
The global structure of the sport is overseen by the CMAS, which manages the biennial Underwater Hockey World Championships. These tournaments attract nations from across the globe, with countries like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and France consistently ranking among the top competitors. The competitive nature of the sport has led to the development of sophisticated analytics and training regimens, as teams now utilize underwater cameras to review positioning and puck movement. Despite this institutional growth, the sport remains an amateur pursuit, largely funded by the athletes themselves and local club memberships.
For those interested in the sport, accessibility is often the greatest hurdle, as it requires specialized pool facilities and a community of practitioners. Most participants enter the sport through local scuba diving clubs or university aquatic programs. The Underwater Society of America provides resources for locating clubs and understanding the specific equipment requirements, such as the regulation-sized lead puck and the protective sticks made of wood or high-impact plastic. As the sport continues to seek greater visibility, national federations emphasize its inclusive nature, noting that the combination of swimming proficiency and tactical intelligence allows for a wide range of ages and athletic backgrounds to compete at the club level.
The next major international gathering for the sport is the 2025 CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championship, with host details and specific dates expected to be confirmed by the CMAS technical committee in the coming months. Readers interested in the sport’s development or in finding a local club can monitor the official CMAS website for updates on regional tournaments and coaching clinics. Please share your thoughts or local club experiences in the comments section below.