So what do you need to play Octopush?
For beginners we supply the kit that you will need to start playing. This is because there are several safety rules that we, as members of the British Octopush Association, have to adhere to. However if you have equipment that you feel is suitable, bring it along and one of the committee can tell you if it is within these regulations.
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Mask - preferably a low-volume mask, tempered or toughened safety glass; made of soft, comfortable rubber or silicone with a double seal and a wide split strap. Most importantly it must not be a one piece mask, it must have two lens, not one which is common in most diving masks. This is because it increases protection of the nose and reduces the likelihood that the lens will break if any accidents occur while playing. The mask shown is the Cressi-sub Marea. |
| Snorkel - soft, comfortable mouth piece made of a malleable material, with a smooth flexible U shaped tube - often with additional purge values. There are several snorkles on the market, the one shown is the Air-dry from Mares. |
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Fins - Shoe fins without buckles or sharp edges, usually longer and more flexible than scuba-fins, but not as large as freediving fins. The ones shown are Techni-Sub Ala's. These are used by many octopush players world wide. Other popular fins are the Quatro-Pro's from Mares. |
Pushers/Sticks - Generally these are home made out of hardwood or other homogenous material that floats horizontally when placed in water and which conform to official dimensions and specifications. This allows the player to produce variations to suit. Each player needs a white and black stick in tournaments to help differentiate the teams. The stick is held in one hand only with fingers coiled around the handle below a demarcation line.
Gloves - A protective glove may be worn, indeed it is advisable to wear one, providing it contains no ridge or sharp reinforcing. Gloves serve two purposes, to protect you from the bottom of the pool ,which is often rough, and also it is easy to hit or catch the puck with your knuckles rather than the stick. Nylon or cotton gloves are easily coated in silicone sealant or latex, or gloves can be lined with strips of neoprene.
Hats - These are water polo hats fitted with ear protectors and these MUST be worn. In tournaments these are worn to identify team members, where dark blue hats are used to match the black pushers. The hats may not be the type of fashion statement you want to make, but burst eardrums aren't a lot of fun!
Team Colours - For team identification, one team shall use white Pushers and the opposing team shall use black Pushers. It is also desirable that team members should wear matching bathing suits with respects to colour and design. However because this is a university sport the team is not to tight on this rule and the B.O.A. allow us some freedom.
The team captain and vice captain are required to wear some form of identification when playing in tournaments.
All members of each team shall wear identification caps with ear protectors, either in black (blue) or white, to match the colour of Pusher being used by that team.
Webmonkies - J&S
