Puck luck: Geelong Underwater Hockey Club players in action.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
IT SOUNDS like the start of a joke: What do you get when you combine hockey with water polo?
The answer is more intriguing that it is funny: Underwater hockey, played at Norlane Waterworld every Wednesday evening.
“It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but once you give it a go you find its really good fun,” says Geelong Underwater Hockey League’s Stuart McCallum.
Stuart describes himself as the club’s chief organiser, promotions officer, secretary, treasurer and coach.
He said Geelong players had often been selected for state and national teams and the club had provided up to a third of the Victorian junior team.
“The beauty of this activity is it’s great for all takers – any age group or gender,” Stuart said.
“It’s very safe – we don’t get many injuries.”
The club has been involved in a Leisure Networks program to create healthy sporting environments for “culturally and linguistically diverse” (CALD) participants.
Masks, snorkels and fins are supplied for first-timers.
The club also hosts a number of school groups, most recently from Geelong, Western Heights and Matthew Flinders colleges.
“Once people have been playing for a while they often get their own gear,” Stuart explained.
“It’s a great family activity – there aren’t many sports that can be played on an equal basis for all players. In fact, kids often beat the parents by being a little more nimble.”
The pool has at either end a goal tray into which teams attempt to push, flick or coerce a 1.3kg lead puck to their advantage.
Players use a short, wooden object like a mini field hockey stick to propel the puck:
“It’s all in the wrist action,” Stuart laughed.
“The puck can be lifted and can cover a fair distance,” he explained, “but because it takes time to swim to the spot you have to be thinking ahead by about 20 to 30 seconds.
“Players can advantage their team by setting up plays a couple of moves ahead. It certainly accentuates team skills.”
Players are regularly subbed in and out somewhat like basketball, with six in the water out of 12 available.
“It looks more like underwater ballet than water polo,” Stuart said.
“We do get an occasional collision but it’s nothing serious.”
Stuart said the club received funding a while ago to buy a camera in an underwater housing to take action shots and help with coaching.
The Geelong club had hosted state and national tournaments and held an “underwater festival” two years ago.
Stuart said anyone wanting to try underwater hockey had only to pay the pool entry, with the first three club games free.
The club meets every Wednesday at 7pm at Norlane Waterworld.
Stuart said more information was available at www.geelongunderwaterhockey.org.au, by emailing geelonguwhockey @ gmail. com or phoning 52811601 or 0450 645 204.
