[Namazu]

Hey everyone,

Does anyone have any current information on games of underwater hockey in HK? I've done some poking around, but so far have come up dry.

Alternatively, if we can't find an existing game, who would be interested in helping to set something up?

To get a social game going (so that you can try it out) all we need is a pool willing to let us take in snorkeling gear and a puck. I have the puck and some sticks, so if there's anyone out there who is interested, let me know.

Cheers,

Andrew

[lowlight]

Sorry but wtf is underwater hockey?

[dipper]

In Hong Kong I think it's organised by the same people who run the unicycle bullfighting out in Sheung Shui.

[climber07]

Originally Posted by lowlight

Sorry but wtf is underwater hockey?

YouTube - Philippine Underwater Hockey...

Essentually its people playing hockey in snorkling gear on the bottom of the pool. Complete Chaos

[Max]

What happens if the player was about to score and the opposing goalie came up for air?

[Namazu]

Essentually its people playing hockey in snorkling gear on the bottom of the pool. Complete Chaos

That pretty much sums it up.

In Hong Kong I think it's organised by the same people who run the unicycle bullfighting out in Sheung Shui.

If they did that at underwater I might even be interested.

What happens if the player was about to score and the opposing goalie came up for air?

That happens a lot in social games (not so much in higher level competition). It's pretty simple really, the player scores and no one buys the goalie any beers for a while.

The thing I like about this (yeah, crazy sport) is that it pretty much works in 3D. You play in a 3D volume of water, against the clock (how long you can hold your breath) and there are all sorts of interesting timing issues that come up since the play occurs on the bottom of the pool and you need to breath at the surface.

I did a training session in a 6m diving pool once that was called off half-way through for just being silly (the puck was on the bottom by itself most of the time while the rest of us were at the top trying to force ourselves back down to wack it again).

So any of you guys interested or are you going out to Sheung Shui to practice your unicycle riding with dipper?

[dropdedfwed]

http://www.geoexpat.com/forum/underw...ey-t10053.html

it's not really a 3D game. the puck is too heavy to become airborne (water-borne??) for more than a foot or 2. the pucks are so heavy you have to wear thick gloves, so that if u get hit by the puck you dont lose the skin off your knuckles, or break a finger.

it's awesome for team play, as you need to co-ordinate and communicate when to take breathers, otherwise you lose players just when u need them most...

[Namazu]

Hey Fwed. You're right about the puck (although it is possible to flick it a little further than a couple of feet) and the actual game play (with the puck) is on the bottom, so in that sense it is not 3D, I agree.

I still think there is a 3D element though in the positioning and timing and body movement through the water. It is one of the only sports around that I know of (save perhaps skydiving) that you can have several players moving through "space" during game play around each other in all directions (including vertically).

But the puck is a heavy mother as you say and so most game play takes place on the bottom as you pointed out.

[Soulglider009]

Underwater hockey is really fun, I used to play it a few years back here in the US at a local university. I didn't expect to see the game ever come up again, I thought it was a local invention!
When I get to HK I'd love to play

[Namazu]

Hi Soulglider. Drop me a message when you get to town. As far as I have been able to track down so far there are no organized games in HK. I am doing my best to drum up interest and have a few takers. I'm hoping to put together a social game and maybe a club at some point.

The same was done in Singapore not that long ago and it now has a very healthy membership and is participating in international competitions. They are now setting up a Pan-Pacific game. It would be great if HK could field a team for that in the future.

Andrew