Underwater sports are all the disciplines that take place underwater. From underwater hockey to underwater target shooting, some disciplines offer the opportunity to practice snorkeling. Entertaining and fun, these underwater sports allow you to get away from the traditional setting of snorkeling, often considered too rigorous.
Underwater sport is therefore an opportunity to practice snorkeling, in a more friendly and original way. A short tour of these few disciplines that take place underwater:
Underwater hockey
Underwater hockey was born in the 1950s in England. In constant technological evolution since its creation, the game takes place, in apnea, inside a swimming pool, between 2 and 4 meters deep. Underwater hockey puts two teams of 6 players and 4 substitutes face to face. The goal of the game is to advance a puck of about 1.3 kg, with the use of passes with a stick, to make it into the opponent’s goal. An underwater hockey game usually lasts 30 minutes two 15-minute halves on a course between 20 to 25 meters long and 12 to 15 meters wide. Underwater hockey, includes 3 referees. Two of them are in the water. They are present to manage the match and report fouls.
The equipment
With the time and development of the game, the equipment needed for underwater hockey has been lightened. Today, an underwater hockey player will need a stick, made from resin or fiberglass, stiff flippers of medium size to favor speed, protective gloves, a cap of water polo style, that is to say having ear protectors. In addition to these equipments specific to underwater hockey, a player must also be equipped with a binocular mask, a flexible snorkel with a mouth guard to protect against any damage that could be done by the stick.
Who can practice this sport?
Underwater hockey can be practiced as early as 8 years old. To perform this very complete sport, which combines technique with power, you have to be agile under water, comfortable in apnea, have strength and a good team spirit. Underwater hockey is, unlikely, an extremely strategic discipline where the tactical dimension is very important. It is a good way, for the youngest as for the oldest, to let off steam by spending energy while keeping all their lucidity.
Underwater rugby
This sport was born in Germany in the 1960s. Recognized as an underwater sport in the 70s, this recent sport suffers from its lack of media coverage. Unexpectedly, underwater rugby has nothing to do with classic rugby.
An underwater rugby team consists of 6 players and 6 substitutes. The two teams are opponents for 2 periods of 15 minutes; the goal being to score more points than the other team by placing the ball in the opposing goal. Players can move in a play area measuring between 12 and 18 meters long, 8 and 12 meters wide and between 3.5 and 5 meters deep. As for the ball, it has a form totally different from that used in a classic rugby match. It is spherical and looks a lot like a handball. By the way, the ball is filled with salt water so that it cannot float. On the other hand, as for underwater hockey, three referees including 2 in the water, ensure the respect of the rules. These, moreover, are, for the main of them, very simple: The ball must never come out of the water, It is forbidden to use violence biting or strangling for example or to grab hold of another player’s equipment.
The equipment
The basic equipment for the diver is as follows: fins, masks and snorkels, is essential but with a few details and modifications. The fins are of intermediate size and made of carbon fiber or rubber. The mask is binocular and made of plastic for obvious security reasons. Finally, the tuba is flexible and has a larger diameter than usual to allow a large absorption of air and promote recovery. A waterpolo cap that protects the ears, is a must for underwater rugby.
Who can practice this sport?
Underwater rugby is a sport that requires good muscle development. It is therefore only proposed from adolescence between 14 and 15 years. In underwater rugby, it’s the aquatic skills that make the difference. Those who seek to practice diving while having a certain freedom of movement and to realize a real physical challenge, will find this within this sport. A sport that will suits them perfectly. There is also no age limit to practice this sport, the water dampens the violence of shocks.
Sports diving in a pool
Sports diving in a pool, or “SDP” is a discipline that developed in the late twentieth century. It was created by Marifé Abad in Zaragoza, Spain. This sport was officially recognized in 2008 by the Steering Committee of the World Confederation of Underwater Activities.
The equipment
There is not really any specific equipment for sports diving in the pool. The equipment is that of recreational diving, that is to say, a mask, fins, a bottle of diving and a snorkel, only for doing the stripping test.
Who can practice this sport?
The practice of sports diving requires a medical certificate of no contraindication to the practice of sports diving in the pool. If the athlete wishes to participate in competitions, he must present a medical certificate, less than a year old, mentioning the possibility of participating in competitions. Anyone over the age of 10 can try sport diving in a pool. This sport continues to grow.
Underwater target shooting
Underwater target shooting appeared in France more than 20 years ago. It was, however, in the 1930s that this discipline was initiated by hunters wanting to maintain their fitness during the winter by shooting at the water’s edge. Subsequently, this discipline has evolved a lot to become what it is today. Underwater target shooting includes both individual and team events.
3 individual events
Precision shooting : In apnea, the participant must make 10 shots, at a distance of 4 meters from the target, which is called the visual, within 10 minutes, all immersed 3 meters deep.
Biathlon : During this event, the participant must swim 15 meters in apnea in order to reach the firing distance on the target. Once stabilized, it can fire as accurately as possible. After recovering his arrow, and always in apnea, the shooter returns to the point of departure. This course must be done 3 times during the event.
Super Biathlon : This event is practiced in the same way as biathlon, with a few exceptions. The firing distance is no longer 15 meters but 10 meters. The participant must perform 5 laps instead of 3 as for the biathlon. In order to validate his time, it is necessary to have achieved at least 3 impacts out of 5.
Only one collective test
Relay : A team of 4 shooters relays on a course similar to that of biathlon. The goal is to achieve 8 impacts in a maximum of 10 minutes.
The equipment
It’s always the diver’s simple kit: fins, mask and snorkel. It is recommended to use a binocular mask that does not obstruct the field of vision too much. Shooting, meanwhile, is done with a crossbow that can be equipped with personal accessories such as a viewfinder or a stabilizer. The size of the crossbow for target shooting, must be between 100 and 110 cm and the arrows have a maximum diameter of 6.5 mm.
Who can practice this sport?
Underwater target shooting can be practiced from the age of 8 and without any prerequisites. This sport is especially recommended to hyperactive as this discipline requires calm, concentration and patience. When you shoot, in general, you find yourself alone and refocus on yourself. It is the perfect sensation to calm the most nervous and enhance their serenity and tranquility.
