We play on Thursday nights at 21:00 to 22:00. For more details see the location page.
Excellent Choice. You can contact the club via email here.
For your first few sessions it's free, after for more details look at the cost section.
We can supply spare kit for most of equipment you need (mask, fins, gloves, hat) but due to COVID we ask that people bring their own snorkels.
We would like everyone to join this great sport with us. Regardless of your ability or fitness you should come along and try it out. New players get better very quickly and anyone who can swim at a basic level can start. Unfortunately for insurance reasons we can only take people who are over 18.
We train Thursday nights 20:30-21:30, meet poolside at 20:15 for a prompt start.
Sessions are held at Tiller Leisure Centre (Tiller Road, Docklands, Tower Hamlets, London, E14 8PX)
The closest station is Crossharbour, on the DLR.
After training we often go to the pub.
Underwater Hockey, also known as Octopush, is a fast paced underwater sport. The aim is to manoeuvre a lead puck across the bottom of a swimming pool into the opposing team's goal by propelling it with a hockey stick. There are 10 players on each team, with rolling subs so only 6 players are playing at any one time.
The game starts with the puck on the bottom of the pool between the two teams. Then once play starts teams are free to swim anywhere in the play area. Scoring happens when the puck enters one of the teams goals, which are made from metal and span about half the width of the playing area.
Our club is a member of the British Octopush Association (BOA) which is the governing body for underwater hockey in the UK - Their website is - https://www.gbuwh.co.uk
Most sports let you breath while you are playing. However in underwater hockey you need to hold your breath when diving down for the puck. While some people hold their breath for ages the real skill is knowing when to dive. You can then quickly tackle an opponent, pass the puck then resurface for a quick breath of air.
Absolutely! After training we usually head off down to the pub.
Underwater Hockey started in the United Kingdom in the fifties, bored divers wanted something do something over the winter. Originally the teams had 8 players (hence Octopush) but this has now reduced to 6 a side.
From it's small beginnings many teams have formed in the UK and around the world, from New Zealand to Canada.
You can find out more about the history of the sport on the CMAS site
You can have a look at the complete rules here.
Of course! We compete in the Nautlius tournament and have also taken part in Valentines, Big Blue at Plymouth, Barbipush, Totton Mix and Match and Ladies Nationals. There are also international tournaments which some of the team have taken part in, including Parmacup in Italy and the Berlin Open in Germany.
Islington Octopush (Underwater Hockey) Club started out over 40 years ago as a BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club) Octopush team. We are now independent members of the British Octopush Association (BOA), but still have links with several diving clubs and many of our players continue to dive.
The full club fees cover
For beginners who have never played before the first 4 sessions are free. For those who have played before but are new to the club the first session is free.
We have club kit for beginners but due to COVID we require beginners to bring their own snorkels. If you enjoy the game you will find that you soon want to buy your own kit.
Or have a look at our facebook page.
For more information please email the club.