Sportsister takes a look at the unusual and action packed game of underwater hockey, known as octopush. Lynne McIlroy, a member of Scotland’s national side, talks us through the basics.
For anyone who has stood on the side of the pool at the start of a 2000m set, willing themselves to get in and start swimming, but feeling slightly uninspired by the thought of what’s to come, read on.
There is a more exciting alternative to the monotony of repetitive lane swimming…and it takes place on the base of the pool instead! So why not dive into the world of underwater hockey. Underwater what?
Believe it or not, the sport of underwater hockey, or ‘octopush’ - as it is also known - dates back almost 60 years. It’s a fast, action packed game, played on the bottom of the swimming pool. And there are hundreds of women who already play the sport across the UK on a weekly basis.
Originating in Portsmouth in the 1950s, it started as an off-season activity for scuba divers who wanted to improve their fitness and lung capacity.
So how is it played?
Teams of six people each wear a mask, snorkel, protective glove and swimming hat with ear protection. They then grab a stick and fins and head below the surface, usually to play two fifteen-minute halves.
While holding their breath, players dive to the bottom of the pool and push the three-pound puck towards the three-foot long, metal ‘gulley’, coming up periodically for air.
Teamwork doesn’t end in the pool either, with most clubs enjoying great camaraderie on dry land as well.
And for the more competitive sportswomen among you, there is the chance to enjoy playing competitions at a club, national and even international level.
So what are you waiting for? Take the plunge today!
Check out www.gbuwh.co.uk for more information.
Player Profile: Mairi Price
How long you’ve been involved and how did you got started?
I have been playing since I was 15 years old (so nearly 15 years). I got dragged along by one of my friends who had heard about the sport from her big brother. There was a junior team starting in Aberdeen where I lived and I started playing for them and then going to the senior sessions at Reef Rats as well. I well and truly got the bug.
I played in Aberdeen until I moved to university in 1997 and have played for Glasgow since. I helped set up the Glasgow team and have been heavily involved in that club ever since. I first represented Scotland Ladies at 17 years old and have been a regular feature of that team since then.
What position do you play and what does this entail?
Everywhere! My favourite positions are centre back and centre forward. This involves being a pivot player for the rest of the team, playmaking and distributing the puck and generally being on the bottom pretty much all the time! A lot of hard work and a lot of bruises as you are always at the centre of what is going on. And of course scoring lots of goals!
What team/s do you play for?
I play for Glasgow, Scotland and have represented GB Women at three tournaments.
What is your Octopush career highlight?
Vice-captaining the gold medal winning GB Women’s team at the European championships in 2008. Closely followed by beating the Dutch women twice at the European club championships in 2007 when playing for Scotland.
What do you do when you’re not at the bottom of the pool?
I am a physiotherapist by trade and I work in Glasgow hospitals doing this. The rest of my life is pretty much taken up by hockey. I am involved in running coaching courses and organising the teams for Glasgow and Scotland. It becomes a bit of a lifestyle! When I am not at hockey I like to keep fit. I cycle everywhere and love camping and the great outdoors. I’m also involved in lots of DIY and gardening projects that take up my time.
What do you get from playing?
A family - a huge network of people in the world who you see at tournaments and training and make loads of friends. A husband! Fitness. And a tremendous amount of satisfaction when your team does well. It’s also a good talking point in job interviews and when meeting new people.
Player Profile: Lynne McIlroy
How long you’ve been involved and how you got started?
I started playing after joining the sub aqua club at University in 2002. They were talking about the sport, but at that point it was just a fledgling team. I wasn’t convinced until French Edd, one of the gorgeous guys on the team asked me how I became so fast. Now I’m hooked! I’ve been playing now for about seven years.
What position do you play and what does this entail?
My favourite position is playing wing forward because speed is my strongest quality in game play. This means the puck is distributed out to me and I push forward to score goals, which is always a great feeling.
What team/s you play for?
I have played for Edinburgh and Glasgow and also compete for the Scottish squad.
What is your Octopush career highlight?
Winning a silver medal this year while representing Scotland at the Home Internationals at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.
What do you do when you’re not at the bottom of the pool?
I work as a journalist for a local newspaper and also do a bit of freelance designing and writing on the side. I also love wild swimming and rollerblading, playing laser quest, laughing hysterically with friends and living room karaoke, courtesy of You Tube. I also like spending time enjoying the great Scottish outdoors with my boyfriend who plays for the GB Mens squad and motivates me to keep fit.
What do you get from playing?
A serious adrenalin rush, improved fitness and it’s a great way to meet new people who are intrigued by the all-round randomness of it!
Lynne McIlroy, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
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Sportsister meets Ros Griffiths - GB’s water polo captain
Sportsister talks to Olympic swimmer Jo Jackson
How to be a better swimmer - training plan
