So what is Octopush anyway?
Hold your breath NOW!
If you can hold your breath long enough to read this then we want you in our hockey team.....
As you might have guessed, we play our hockey underwater. And we're looking for recruits. If you're into water sports this is one game you can get totally immersed in. Underwater hockey is fast. It's exciting. And it will make you as fit as a trout.
We train and play every Saturday and meet outside the Student Union at 5:20 p.m. Come along, jump in and watch how the game is played. We'll arrange equipment as well as introduce you to some of the nicest people you'll ever meet on the bottom of a swimming pool.
OK, start breathing again.
See? Just reading about underwater hockey is a breath taking experience.
So
just what is Octopush!?!
Under (below the surface), Water (wet stuff divers try to keep out of themselves, NOT BEER!), Hockey (as in 'Jolly hockey sticks')
You must be mad or at least daft if you think I am going to swallow that, but no, the international game of Octopush really does exist and is played in your University. Really???
Octo - the number 8 (6 in the water & 2 subs as in substitute not DSV), Push - to shove around, & we do - sometimes its even with the puck.
Puck - 1.5 Kg of lead. Yes lead! No it doesn't float.
So when did this game start? Well listen carefully and I will tell you. In the deep dark mists of time (spooky eh), 1954, up north (Southsea) a gathering of divers got bored. So instead of spending their long cold winter nights swimming up and down the local municipal baths, they started to knock a lead weight about ( as well as each other). As strange as it may seem, they found that it improved their fitness and water skills e.g. breathing without air and mask clearing without mask. From these humble beginnings a sport grew into a national pastime activity enjoyed by all (well...not all, but some.....OK, a few, but a brave few). Now the same sport is played internationally around the world (where else could it be) by countries from as far apart as New Zealand to Canada; South Africa to America; and England to France. There are over 300 local teams all over (or under the water) of Britain who play Octopush every week. In teams that consist of men and women alike (OK! not alike).
You are in the lucky position of having one of the top University teams in Britain, with the ladies team at an all time high of 5th in the recent National finals.
So now you know about us come and try, we're safe while on dry land, so come and talk (and drink) with us.
Hope to see you soon, from all the present members of the club
P.S. - The answer to the proverbial questions are:
No, not with tanks.
Yes, on the bottom.
We wear masks.
No, no weight belts.
Yes, sometimes
Hardly ever.
Yes, women do, do it with men.
Webmonkies - J&S
