OCTOPUSH (underwater hockey) is a combination of snorkelling and hockey. This skillful team sport is played across the bottom of a swimming pool . The players flick the squid (plastic covered lead puck) around the pool bottom with pushers (stick shaped like paint scraper) into the gulley (goal) of the opposing team.
Competent swimmers can learn to play octopush. Men and women of all ages enjoy this sport. If you are fairly fit and enthusiastic there is no restriction to how far you can go. With basic snorkelling equipment - mask, fins and snorkel - and determination - you are off to a good start.
Approximately 40 years ago, octopush started as a fun way for British divers to keep fit during winter. The octopush season reflects this origin, beginning in September and trailing off in May or June. Many diving clubs, like Islington 333, continue to play octopush but there is also a growing number of octopush clubs that are independent of diving clubs.
The first World Championships were held in 1980 in Vancouver, Canada and octopush is now played around the world including countries such as Belgium, Japan, France, Mexico, Holland, South Africa, Italy, USA, Switzerland, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and the UK.
In the UK there are over 3000 men and women who play octopush, with approximately 120 teams nationwide. Islington 333's Octopush team is one of the top 15 teams in the UK and takes part in many international tournaments.
Islington's octopush team is a member of the British Octopush Association.
If you want to find out more or how to play, switch teams, or just see what octopush all about, come alone and have a go!
We meet every Tuesday and share the pool with Islington Divers, but to find out about additional training sessions, please contact us
Time & location: Every Tuesday 20:00-21:30 at Ironmonger Row Baths EC1 (courtesy of Streetmap).