underwater hockey essay

Underwater Hockey: Lesser-known sport on the rise

Io Gilman and Tess Randall | March 20, 2019

When sophomore Sydney Li told her biology class that she played underwater hockey, she was met with confusion. “[The teacher] said, ‘Underwater hockey?!’ and then everyone turned to me and looked at me weirdly,” Li said. “Ever since then, everyone has known me as ‘Underwater Hockey Girl.’”

Like Li’s classmates, not many Lowell students know about underwater hockey, but through dedicated student athletes and exposure via the P.E. swimming class, it is becoming more well known throughout the Lowell community.

Though underwater hockey is an unusual sport to play, it is not hard to understand as it is derived from regular hockey. Junior Teresa Lee, who also plays for the San Francisco Sea Lions, describes underwater hockey as having the same rules as hockey; however, it has the twist of being played underwater. Two teams of six compete in the depths of a swimming pool, trying to maneuver a weighted puck into the opposing team’s goal. Each player is armed with a glove, a stick, and a mask, and their equipment is either black or white to help differentiate the teams underwater. In addition, they wear snorkels, but since the pool is eight to ten feet deep, they have to hold their breath most of the time, and the snorkels are only used to get a breath quickly when close to the surface.

You have to know your teammates really well. The only communication you can really do is knocking on the pool.

— Sydney Li

Along with endurance, a team’s communication skills need to be built as well. Since underwater hockey is almost entirely played underwater, there is little to no verbal communication between players. “You have to know your teammates really well,” Li said. “The only communication you can really do is knocking on the pool.” According to Li, this knocking allows the player with the puck to know where their teammates are so they can pass the puck.

Even though the sport is becoming more well known, much of the Lowell community is still unaware of underwater hockey. According to Teresa Lee, this is because the sport is more commonly played in places like Australia and New Zealand, where freediving is a common hobby. Li doesn’t talk about the sport very much with her classmates. According to Li, it doesn’t come up in conversation very often, and when it does come up she has to explain what the sport is. Sophomore Justin takes different route and tries to spread awareness by wearing underwater hockey shirts and a wristband, as well as by showing his friends pictures and videos of the sport.

I think this sport is really unique and I also think that it’s really fun

— Teresa Lee

Doherty also appreciates that underwater hockey is a welcome change from the normal class activities. “Most of the time in swim class we do a lot of laps and drills and we work on techniques and swimming strokes so this one is little bit more team-oriented,” Doherty said. “There’s a little bit more laughter and they’re like, ‘Oh that’s a really great play’ or ‘Let’s try to do something different next time,’ so team strategy comes into play a little bit more.”

The swimming class is an opportunity for students to try out underwater hockey recreationally. Lee, Li and Justin all recommend that their fellow students try out underwater hockey, even if they don’t want to join a team. “I think this sport is really unique and I also think that it’s really fun,” Lee said.

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Deep dive into the world of underwater hockey

SINGAPORE -- Underwater hockey? It's a sport that prompts many questions when players try to explain it to those who have never seen the game. Fans are familiar with the ice and field versions, but now imagine it under 13 feet of water. The Singapore national team offered ESPN an under-the-waves look at this unique sport, which debuted at the Southeast Asian Games this week in the Philippines.

How is it played?

Typically played with six players on each team. Opponents dash for a weighted puck and move it along the bottom of the pool toward an open-ended goal that is 3 meters (about 9 feet) wide.

There are no goalies -- each side uses teamwork and formations to defend and score. It is a no-contact sport, in which pulling and grabbing are not allowed.

Two referees watch for fouls and goals, and players can be relegated to a penalty box. The playing field is a pool that is 25 by 15 meters (27 yards by 16.5 yards) with a depth of 2-4 meters (6-13 feet).

The puck weighs 1.5 kilograms (about 3 pounds) and is made of lead alloy coated with plastic.

Players wear large fins and a snorkel mask while carrying a small stick (the pusher stick) in a thickly gloved hand. The pusher stick dimensions have to fit within a 300 by 100 millimeter box (about 11 inches by 4 inches).

Each game has two 15-minute halves with a short halftime. The teams begin the match on either end of the pool, with the opening buzzer signaling a mad dive as the players scramble for possession of the puck placed in the middle at the bottom.

Obviously strong swimmers are favored, but the ability to hold one's breath for long periods of time and stay underwater is equally important.

How did it start?

Originally known as "octopush," the game was invented in Great Britain in 1954 to help train divers and British commandos. The sport is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and is governed by the World Underwater Federation (CMAS).

It is now played in more than 40 countries, with an estimated 15,000 participants. New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Turkey, Australia, South Africa and Colombia are the leading underwater hockey nations. Last year's world championships in Quebec drew 17 nations, with powerhouse New Zealand sweeping both the men's and women's elite divisions.

International play

Underwater hockey made its debut in a multisport, international competition this week in the Philippines at the Southeast Asian Games -- a regional, smaller version of the Olympics. Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia all fielded teams.

The SEA Games host gets to pick new sports outside of those usually contested in the Olympic Games to showcase strengths. For the 2019 SEA Games, which officially opened Saturday, the Philippines picked underwater hockey to be showcased, with the strong backing of its regional counterparts.

Tristan Reynard, the world tournament director for CMAS, said the local countries led the charge for underwater hockey's inclusion in the SEA Games.

"The Southeast Asian federations are really passionate about the sport and the SEA Games inclusion is due to them working together to make it happen. In the last 15 years, the sport has developed in Asia," Reynard said. "The [competing] countries are all developing and it's a great opportunity to develop their skills, as the teams are fairly equal in ability."

The Deep Origins of Underwater Hockey

Underwater hockey is a sport that has been around for over 60 years, but is still relatively unknown to many. This exciting game combines elements of hockey, soccer, and swimming to create a unique and challenging experience for players.

The origins of underwater hockey can be traced back to the 1950s, when a group of divers in England began playing a game they called “octopush.” Since then, the sport has grown in popularity around the world, with teams and leagues in countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.

A Watery Twist on a Classic Game

Underwater hockey may be a unique sport, but it shares many similarities with its above-water cousin. Both games involve passing a puck or ball and scoring goals, but that’s where the similarities end. In underwater hockey, players wear fins, snorkels, and a diving mask to navigate the pool floor, where the game is played. Here are some of the ways underwater hockey differs from traditional hockey:

• Fins are an essential part of underwater hockey gear , as they allow players to move quickly and efficiently through the water. Unlike traditional hockey skates , which provide traction on ice, fins allow players to glide smoothly along the pool floor.
• There are different types of fins available, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Short fins are more maneuverable but provide less power, while long fins are more powerful but less agile.

Since underwater hockey is played entirely below the surface of the water, players must be able to hold their breath for extended periods of time. Most players use a snorkel to help them breathe, which is connected to a diving mask that covers their eyes and nose.

While the ability to hold one’s breath is essential in underwater hockey, players must also be aware of their limits and resurface before they run out of air. Players will often rotate in and out of the game to ensure that everyone has a chance to catch their breath.

The gameplay in underwater hockey is much slower than traditional hockey, as players must navigate through the water to get to the puck. However, this slower pace allows for more strategy and precision, as players must carefully position themselves to pass the puck and score goals.

Another unique aspect of underwater hockey is that players cannot use their hands to touch the puck. Instead, they use short sticks to push the puck along the pool floor. This requires a high level of skill and coordination, as players must use their fins and body position to control the puck.

Evolution of Equipment and Rules

Over the years, underwater hockey has evolved both in terms of its equipment and rules. The game initially began with basic equipment such as swim fins, snorkels, and basic water polo sticks. However, with the game gaining popularity, the equipment used in underwater hockey has undergone a significant transformation to suit the needs of the players.

Presently, the equipment used in underwater hockey includes a diving mask, snorkel, fins, and a specialized hockey stick. The hockey sticks are shorter and sturdier than traditional water polo sticks, which helps players to maneuver the puck more effectively in the water. The use of specialized equipment has also made the game much safer for players, allowing them to play for longer periods without experiencing fatigue.

Changes in Rules

Over the years, the rules of underwater hockey have also undergone several changes. One of the most significant changes in the rules was the introduction of a three-meter offside rule. This rule requires players to stay three meters away from the puck when it is in their opponents’ half of the pool. The rule helps to create a level playing field for both teams, making the game more competitive.

Another significant rule change was the introduction of the two-referee system. The two-referee system ensures that the game is played fairly, with both referees responsible for ensuring that the rules are followed. This system has helped to prevent disputes and has made the game more enjoyable for both players and spectators.

Equipment Innovations

In addition to changes in the rules, equipment used in underwater hockey has also undergone several innovations. One of the most significant innovations was the introduction of specialized hockey sticks. These sticks have a unique design that allows players to maneuver the puck more effectively in the water. The introduction of lightweight diving masks and snorkels has also helped to make the game more enjoyable for players.

Another significant innovation in the equipment used in underwater hockey is the introduction of waterproof earplugs. These earplugs help to protect players’ ears from the pressure changes that occur when they dive into the water. Additionally, the use of waterproof gloves has made it easier for players to handle the puck, providing them with greater control over the game.

Global Participation in Underwater Hockey

Underwater hockey is a unique sport that has gained popularity in recent years. Players use fins, snorkels, and a small stick to play a game that is similar to ice hockey . One of the reasons why underwater hockey has become so popular is that it is a sport that can be played by people of all ages and skill levels.

The sport has grown in popularity around the world and is now played in over 20 countries. The United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa have some of the largest underwater hockey communities. The sport has also gained popularity in North America, Asia, and Europe.

Participation in Underwater Hockey by Country

• United Kingdom – The UK has a long history of underwater hockey and has one of the largest communities in the world. The British Octopush Association (BOA) is the governing body for the sport in the UK.
• Australia – Underwater hockey is very popular in Australia, with thousands of players across the country. The Australian Underwater Federation (AUF) is the governing body for the sport in Australia.
• South Africa – South Africa has a large and active underwater hockey community . The South African Underwater Hockey Association (SAUHA) is the governing body for the sport in South Africa.

International Competitions

Underwater hockey is played at both national and international levels. The sport has a World Championship that is held every two years. Teams from around the world compete in the championship, with the most recent one being held in Canada in 2018. There are also regional championships held in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

The sport also has a World Cup for women’s teams, which is held every four years. The most recent World Cup was held in Spain in 2019, with teams from around the world competing for the title. The next World Cup is scheduled to be held in Australia in 202

Health Benefits of Playing Underwater Hockey

Underwater hockey is a unique and exciting sport that not only provides players with a challenging physical workout, but also offers a range of health benefits . Here are just a few ways that playing underwater hockey can improve your well-being:

Improved cardiovascular health: Underwater hockey requires constant movement and physical exertion, which can help improve your heart health and increase your endurance.

Enhanced strength and agility: Playing underwater hockey requires strength and agility, as players must constantly move, dive, and swim while holding their breath. This can help build muscle and improve overall physical fitness.

Benefits for Respiratory System

Improved lung capacity : Playing underwater hockey requires players to hold their breath for extended periods of time, which can improve lung capacity and overall respiratory health. This can be especially beneficial for people with conditions such as asthma.

Increased oxygen flow: The underwater environment of the game means that players must work harder to get oxygen to their muscles, which can increase blood flow and oxygenation throughout the body. This can help improve overall health and well-being.

Benefits for Mental Health

Reduced stress: Engaging in physical activity such as underwater hockey can help reduce stress and anxiety, as it releases endorphins and promotes a sense of well-being.

Improved focus and concentration: Underwater hockey requires players to constantly focus on the game and their movements, which can improve concentration and cognitive function over time.

In conclusion, playing underwater hockey is not only a fun and exciting way to stay active, but it also offers a range of health benefits for players of all ages and abilities. From improved cardiovascular and respiratory health to reduced stress and enhanced mental focus, there are many reasons to give this unique sport a try.

The Future of Underwater Hockey

Underwater hockey has come a long way since its inception in the 1950s, and the future looks bright for this unique and exciting sport. As technology continues to advance and interest in non-traditional sports grows, there are several ways in which underwater hockey could evolve in the coming years.

One possibility is the increased use of virtual reality technology, which could allow players to train and compete in a simulated underwater environment. This could help make the sport more accessible to those who don’t have access to a pool or other training facilities, and could also open up new avenues for international competition and collaboration.

Increased Visibility

One of the biggest challenges facing underwater hockey is the lack of visibility for spectators. Because the game takes place entirely underwater, it can be difficult for non-players to follow the action. However, advances in underwater camera technology and live streaming capabilities could help bring the sport to a wider audience.

Live streaming matches and competitions would allow fans from around the world to tune in and watch the games, and could help increase interest and participation in the sport. Additionally, underwater cameras could provide new perspectives on the game, giving viewers a more immersive experience and helping them better understand the intricacies of the sport.

Increased Accessibility

• One of the challenges facing underwater hockey is the limited availability of pools and other training facilities that meet the requirements of the sport. However, as interest in the sport grows, there is potential for more facilities to be built specifically for underwater hockey.
• Another way to increase accessibility is to develop new training and equipment options that are more affordable and accessible to a wider range of players. This could include things like underwater training videos, online coaching, and DIY equipment guides.
• Finally, efforts to increase the visibility and popularity of the sport could also help attract new players and encourage existing players to take their training and competition to the next level.

Overall, the future of underwater hockey is bright, with potential for increased accessibility, visibility, and technological advancements that could help take the sport to new heights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: how did underwater hockey start.

Underwater hockey originated in the United Kingdom in the 1950s as a way for divers to keep up their fitness during the winter months. The game was originally called “Octopush” and was played with short sticks and a lead puck. Over time, the sport grew in popularity and spread to other countries.

Q: What are the rules of underwater hockey?

The objective of underwater hockey is to score more goals than the opposing team by pushing a puck into the opposing team’s goal. Players use a short stick to move the puck along the bottom of the pool while holding their breath. Players must wear fins, mask, snorkel, and a protective glove. The game is played in a pool, usually with a length of 25-30 meters and a width of 10-15 meters. The game is usually played in two halves, with each half lasting around 15-20 minutes.

Q: How is underwater hockey different from regular hockey?

Underwater hockey is played on the bottom of a pool rather than on ice, and players use a snorkel and fins to move around. The puck used in underwater hockey is also much smaller and heavier than a regular hockey puck , and the sticks are much shorter. Additionally, players cannot hold their breath for the entire game, so they must come up for air periodically during play.

Q: What are the benefits of playing underwater hockey?

Playing underwater hockey can help improve cardiovascular endurance, lung capacity, and overall fitness. It can also improve hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and teamwork skills. The game is low-impact and easy on the joints, making it a great option for people of all ages and fitness levels. Additionally, playing underwater hockey can be a fun and unique way to meet new people and be a part of a community.

Privacy Overview

"You're not really aware of how much you need to breathe."

Underwater hockey players explain why it’s so easy to forget to breathe

Underwater hockey was developed in 1954 over "innumerable cups of tea." Now the sport forges families and intense relationships beneath the surface of the pool.

In 2020, silent stands are emblematic of the coronavirus' apocalyptic impact on sports . But for underwater hockey player Laura Moss, silence isn't just the norm — it's a sign that's she's doing what she loves to do.

"When you put your head underwater there's kind of that moment of peace," she tells Inverse. "When all the sound just goes and it's really nice and quiet."

Underwater hockey, as it's called in the United Kingdom, or Octopush as it's occasionally called elsewhere, looks a lot like hockey with one crucial difference: You're playing under liquid water, not on top of frozen ice. Teams of six are tasked with pushing a puck through a goal, like regular hockey, but all the action is subaquatic.

Underwater hockey was first developed in the British coastal town of Southsea, mostly as a way for spearfisherman and divers to keep in shape when it became too cold to swim during winter months. Moss says that the game was shaped by Alan Blake, the founder of a local "sub-aqua" club who finalized the game over " innumerable cups of tea " in 1954.

Moss has played underwater hockey for 16 years, including a 2013 Worlds appearance. She's also the communications manager for the British Octopush Association . The sport retains it's spearfishing origins in some sense, Moss says. The weighted puck, which is pushed across the bottom of the pool, is called a squid — a holdover from the divers who were the sport's early adopters. The goal was once called a cuttle; it's now called a gulley.

Underwater hockey is more than cross-training for spearfishing hardos, says Moss. Though swimmers and other water sports fans turn to the sport out of interest or novelty, they soon realize it's far more complex than it looks.

"It's a massive mix of skills," Moss says. "We get quite a lot of swimmers coming into the sport, who think 'I'm a really fast swimmer, I'll be really good at underwater hockey' — but it doesn't always translate.'"

Underwater hockey or "octopush" us played under water, with a weighted puck that stays at the bottom of the pool.

What makes underwater hockey a sport –  When asked what makes underwater hockey a sport, Moss doesn't quite understand the question at first. That's because it's so fundamentally clear that underwater hockey is more than a game. "It is really really competitive," she clarifies.

"It is more than a game – it really means something to people."

To compete in underwater hockey, players balance a basic physiological need – the need to breathe – with the desire to win. Once you surface, you're effectively taken out of the play: You can no longer receive a pass, defend the goal, or score. In that sense, underwater hockey players compete with their bodies, as well as their opponents.

Moss says that most players will stay underwater for about 20 to 30 seconds. Some, though, will stay underwater for between two and three minutes to defend their goal. (That's not as long as it sounds – the world record for a voluntary underwater breath-hold is about 24 minutes and 3.45 seconds, which was achieved by profession free diver Aleix Segura Vendrell, in 2016).

It gets easier the more you play, she says, and the science of breath-holding backs her intuition up.

Freedivers regularly hold their breath for minutes at a time. They benefit from the "mammalian dive reflex," which is a slowing of the heart, and massive vasoconstriction in the rest of the body that allows blood to continue to circulate. The body also changes as a result of repeated diving: A study of Brazilian diving fishermen found that they had significantly higher lung volumes than normal, a result of adaptations borne of their aquatic profession.

For underwater hockey players, a combination of training and competitiveness keeps them down.

Moss and her team at the u23 under water hockey world championships in Hungary in 2013.

"Because you're so aware of the puck, you're not really aware of how much you need to breathe," Moss says.

Lung capacity is important, but it's not enough to simply possess the breath-holding stamina of a free diver, says Moss. Exceptional players are good at reading the game – knowing when they can afford to slip up for a quick breath of air, and when the play requires that they hang on just a second longer.

That's why the biggest mistake beginners make, she says, is relying on the physiological and not the tactical. They try to do too much and end up leaving the team exposed for a fully-oxygenated and coordinated counterattack.

"Rather than just being down when you think you need to be, it's being down for other players as well," she says.

France plays New Zealand in underwater hockey.

The Michael Jordan of underwater hockey –  Perhaps this speaks to the competitive nature of underwater hockey, but Moss is hesitant about offering up one individual player as the best in the sport. She says she could easily offer 60 players worthy of the title.

When pushed, she settles for a dream team : New Zealand's national underwater hockey team. At the 2019 World Championships in England, this team won three gold medals in three different age divisions and one bronze.

Elite underwater hockey players, she says, have one crucial skill: they have to bring out the best in other people and bring the team together well.

"It's very unlikely that one person is going to be able to swim through six other people. So you need to make sure that you work really well with your team," she says.

The spirit of underwater hockey – The New Zealand Underwater Hockey team's website sells the sport by offering a twist on one of it's hardest aspects: You can't communicate with your teammates at the bottom of the pool, so you have to get know them inside and out.

"Being unable to talk to your teammates might seem counterintuitive, but you build trust and friendship that carries on past the pool," their website reads .

Moss knows firsthand that underwater hockey can cultivate a specific kind of intense relationship: She met her husband playing the sport. The bridesmaid at her wedding was an underwater hockey player and she met her husband through the sport. Moss says there are numerous "underwater hockey couples" who have children. Their children also play underwater hockey.

"It sounds so cliché," she says, "but some people really do call it an underwater hockey family."

Like any family, the relationships are intense and deep. It requires some holding of breath to get through tough times, but it's a sport that's willing to open its arms to you if you've got people-reading skills and some serious lung power.

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Underwater Hockey Explained – Rules, Gear, Technique

Ready to dive into the fascinating world of underwater hockey? In this article, we will take you on an underwater adventure as we explore the rules, gear, and techniques behind this exciting sport. Get ready to discover how players strategize, maneuver with precision, and outsmart their opponents in the mesmerizing depths. Whether you’re an avid athlete or simply curious about unique sports, this article will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the incredible blend of skill, athleticism, and teamwork that makes underwater hockey a captivating game unlike any other. So grab your flippers, strap on your snorkel, and let’s dive right in!

Review contents

Objective of the Game

The objective of underwater hockey is to score goals by maneuvering a puck into the opposing team’s net at the bottom of the pool. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins. It’s a fast-paced and exhilarating sport that requires skill, strategy, and teamwork.

Number of Players

Underwater hockey is typically played with two teams, each consisting of six players. However, variations of the sport can be adapted for smaller teams or even one-on-one games. The game becomes even more exciting with a larger group of players, as it allows for more strategic plays and competitive dynamics.

Duration of the Game

The duration of an underwater hockey game can vary depending on the level of play and the agreement of the participants. However, a typical game consists of two halves, each lasting between 10 to 15 minutes, with a short break in between. The length of the game allows for players to showcase their endurance and adaptability in the water .

Playing Area

Underwater hockey is most commonly played in a swimming pool , although it can also be played in other water bodies that provide adequate space and depth. The playing area should be at least 25 meters long, 15 meters wide, and have a minimum depth of 2 meters. The boundaries should be clearly marked to ensure fair play and to prevent interference with other players or equipment.

Underwater hockey is played with a combination of swimming, maneuvering the puck, and utilizing specialized gear. The players use swim fins to propel themselves through the water swiftly, while wearing a mask and snorkel for clear vision and breath control. To handle the puck, players can use either a glove or a stick, depending on their preference and playing style.

The game begins with a swim-off, where players start at the center of the pool and swim towards the puck placed at the bottom. Once the puck is in play, teams try to gain possession and advance towards the opposing team’s goal. Players must rely on their swimming skills, stick handling techniques, and communication with teammates to navigate the water and create scoring opportunities.

Penalties and Fouls

To maintain fair play, underwater hockey has certain rules and penalties in place. Some common fouls include obstruction (blocking a player’s movement), barging (making contact with another player), and hacking (striking or hooking an opponent’s stick). Penalties for these fouls may result in the offending player being sent to the penalty box for a designated period of time, leaving their team shorthanded.

It is important for players to understand and abide by the rules to ensure not only a fair game but also the safety of all participants. Respecting the rules and playing with good sportsmanship is essential in creating an enjoyable and inclusive environment for everyone involved.

Mask and Snorkel

A high-quality mask that provides a secure fit and clear vision is essential in underwater hockey. The mask should cover the eyes and nose, allowing players to see the puck and their surroundings underwater. A snorkel is also necessary to ensure continuous breathing without the need to lift the head out of the water. A comfortable fit and reliable seal are crucial for both the mask and snorkel.

Swim fins , also known as flippers, are an integral part of underwater hockey gear. They are designed to enhance the swimmer’s efficiency and speed by providing more propulsion with each kick. The fins should fit snugly and allow for ease of movement in the water. Different types of fins are available, catering to individual preferences and playing styles.

Glove or Stick

Players have the option to choose between wearing a glove or using a stick to handle the puck. A glove allows for more dexterity and control, while a stick provides reach and power. It is important to find a glove or stick that fits comfortably and provides a reliable grip for effective puck handling.

Hockey Puck

The hockey puck used in underwater hockey is similar to its ice hockey counterpart but made of plastic to ensure safe play underwater. It is weighted to sink to the bottom of the pool and designed to glide smoothly across the playing surface. The puck should be durable, easy to grip, and have a low profile to minimize interference with other players.

Ear guards are recommended in underwater hockey to protect the ears from accidental contact with other players or equipment. These guards are typically made of soft, flexible material and fit snugly over the ears. They help prevent injuries such as ruptured eardrums and ear canal bruises, ensuring players can fully enjoy the game without discomfort or risk.

A mouthguard is an essential piece of gear for underwater hockey, as it helps protect the teeth and jaw from potential impact or collisions during play. It should be molded to fit the individual player’s teeth and provide a comfortable yet secure fit. Wearing a mouthguard not only reduces the risk of dental injuries but also instills confidence and peace of mind while playing.

Swimming Skills

Strong swimming skills are fundamental in underwater hockey. Players must be proficient in various swimming strokes, such as freestyle and breaststroke, to move efficiently through the water. Good body positioning, proper kicking technique, and the ability to change direction quickly are key components of effective swimming in the game.

Breath Control

Breath control is crucial in underwater hockey, as players must periodically surface to breathe while staying engaged in the game. It is important to practice breath holding techniques to maximize the time spent underwater and minimize disruption to the flow of play. Building endurance and improving lung capacity can greatly enhance a player’s performance during extended periods underwater.

Stick Handling

Mastering stick handling skills is essential for effective puck control and maneuverability. Players should practice their ability to pass, flick, and dribble the puck while maintaining control and accuracy. Proper grip, quick hand movements, and wrist flexibility all contribute to successful stick handling in the fast-paced environment of underwater hockey.

Passing and Shooting

Precise passing and shooting skills are key elements of scoring goals in underwater hockey. Players must be able to accurately pass the puck to their teammates while under pressure from defenders. Similarly, developing a strong shooting technique, including wrist power and accuracy, is crucial to successfully propel the puck towards the net and secure goals for the team.

Defensive Tactics

Defensive tactics in underwater hockey involve proactive positioning, anticipation, and teamwork. Players must work together to prevent the opposing team from advancing towards their goal by effectively marking opponents and blocking passing lanes. A combination of quick reactions, agile movement, and strong communication helps in maintaining defensive integrity and minimizing scoring opportunities for the opposing team .

Communication

Clear and effective communication is vital in underwater hockey to coordinate plays and react quickly to changing game situations. Players must be able to communicate non-verbally through hand signals and body language, as well as verbally when necessary. Good communication allows for better coordination, teamwork, and overall game understanding, leading to a more cohesive and successful team performance.

Underwater hockey is a thrilling sport that combines elements of swimming, stick handling, and strategy. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, understanding the rules, utilizing the right gear, and refining your technique can greatly enhance your enjoyment and performance in this exciting underwater game. So grab your mask, snorkel, swim fins, and gear up for an unforgettable time of underwater hockey!

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Underwater hockey: dive into the depths of a thrilling sport.

Table of Contents

Underwater hockey (UWH), also known as Octopush in the UK, is a dynamic and challenging team sport played beneath the surface. Beneath the shimmering surface of a swimming pool, a silent battle unfolds. Glimmering figures flit through the azure depths, their gloved hands flashing commands in a silent language. This is not a scene from a sci-fi film, but the captivating world of underwater hockey, a sport that merges the grace of ballet with the ferocity of ice hockey, all played on a single breath . Forget your preconceptions of leisurely poolside basking; this is an underwater battle of wits, speed, and endurance, where players push their limits in a captivating blend of hockey and freediving. Here’s a glimpse into the fascinating world of underwater hockey.

The Arena of the Underwater Hockey

Unlike its terrestrial cousin, underwater hockey takes place in a pool, typically 25 meters long and 18 meters wide. Two goals, resembling miniaturized basketball hoops, sit at opposite ends, beckoning the weighted puck. The players, six per team, are decked out in masks, snorkels, fins, and gloves, wielding short, stubby pushers as they navigate the aquatic battlefield.

Rules of the Underwater Hockey

The objective is deceptively simple: use your pusher to maneuver the puck into the opponent’s goal. But simplicity gives way to a complex ballet of tactics and skill. Players rely on powerful underwater strokes and dolphin kicks for propulsion, holding their breath for up to a minute during intense play. Communication becomes a silent symphony of hand signals and quick bursts of air from snorkels, as players strategize under the water’s distorted soundscape. Contact is allowed, although kicking and punching are strictly forbidden. Expect thrilling underwater tussles for possession, where strength and agility reign supreme. Penalties are awarded for fouls, resulting in “ penalty pushes” from designated spots, adding another layer of strategic chess to the underwater battle.

The Thrill of the Push

Underwater hockey is anything but slow. Players sprint through the water with surprising speed, weaving through opponents and unleashing lightning-fast passes with their pushers. Quick thinking and anticipation are crucial, as players react to the puck’s unpredictable movements and the ever-changing underwater currents.

• Underwater hockey is fast-paced and physically demanding. Expect explosive sprints, intricate passing sequences, and fierce battles for possession of the puck.
• Players strategize underwater, communicating through hand signals and bursts of air from their snorkels. The underwater environment adds an extra layer of complexity, where light refraction and muffled sounds require heightened senses and quick thinking.
• Contact is limited but allowed, making for thrilling tussles for the puck and exhilarating goal-mouth scrambles.

But the game is not just about brute force. Teamwork is paramount, with players relying on each other for support and communication. Passing sequences become underwater symphonies, as the puck seamlessly switches hands, leading to breathtaking goals scored with laser-like precision.

The Human Factor: Divers of Depth and Diversity

Unlike many sports, underwater hockey caters to a wide range of ages and fitness levels. From teenagers to veterans, all find a home in the watery arena. The sport emphasizes breath-holding techniques and adaptability, welcoming divers of all abilities and fostering a spirit of inclusivity. The mental training required for underwater hockey transcends the pool. Holding your breath under pressure, maintaining focus in a sensory-deprived environment, and collaborating silently build discipline, resilience, and self-awareness that spill over into other aspects of life.

Underwater Hockey: More Than Just a Sport

• Underwater hockey fosters camaraderie and teamwork. Players rely on each other for support, both underwater and on the surface during recovery periods.
• The sport caters to diverse fitness levels and ages, offering an inclusive environment for those seeking a unique and challenging athletic pursuit.
• The mental training involved in breath-holding and underwater focus spills over into other aspects of life, building discipline, resilience, and self-awareness.

Tournaments That Test the Tide

Underwater hockey boasts a global community, with international competitions held by the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS). The World Championships are the pinnacle event, showcasing the pinnacle of skill and athleticism in the sport. Continental championships and national leagues add another layer of competitive excitement, with teams battling for dominance within their regions.

Beyond the Surface: A Legacy of Bubbles and Belonging

Underwater hockey isn’t just a sport; it’s a community. Clubs around the world offer training, support, and a camaraderie that transcends language and cultural barriers. The shared experience of pushing your limits in the underwater realm creates a unique bond between players, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging that lingers long after the final push. So, if you’re seeking a sport that:

• Combines physical exertion with strategic thinking
• Challenges your mental and physical limits
• Offers a unique community with a deep-sea bond
• Lets you experience the thrill of aquatic competition

Then take a deep breath, grab your gear, and plunge into the world of underwater hockey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To participate in underwater hockey, you require essential equipment such as a diving mask, snorkel, fins, swimsuit, gloves, ear protector, and a playing stick. The puck used in the game is made of lead and weighs approximately 1.2 kg. The stick, also known as a pusher, is typically around 25 cm long with a curved end for pushing the puck. Gloves are necessary to protect your fingers from the puck and the pool floor. An ear protector, usually a plastic or rubber cap, is used to cover your ears and prevent water from entering. The diving mask and snorkel enable you to see and breathe underwater.

A match consists of two halves of 15 minutes each, with a 3-minute break in between.

In underwater hockey, teams have a goal at each end of the pool, which is a 3-meter wide and 0.5-meter-deep metal tray. The puck starts in the center of the pool at the beginning of each half and after each goal. Players dive underwater and use their sticks to push the puck towards the opponent’s goal. A goal is scored when the puck is completely inside the goal tray.

If you have an interest in participating in underwater hockey, you can search for a nearby club or team in your locality.

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All of us wait for the summers, or more specifically for summer vacations so that we can spend our days sleeping, gaming and doing nothing. After all, who doesn’t love to stay in that state of general inactivity? I sure do. But on the off chance, if you were thinking of doing something productive this summer, I have just the right thing for you. Underwater hockey is the sport you should be playing. Not only this sport is exciting but also provides you an opportunity to exercise your muscles and lungs.

For most people, it’s an unusual sport they’ve never heard of. In fact, it is considered one of the weird sports of this planet. Combing swimming and hockey was definitely not the best idea any human being ever came up with. But if you delve a little deeper into it, you’ll realize underwater hockey is not as weird as it sounds. Here are a few things you should be aware of if you plan on giving it a chance this summer.

What exactly is Underwater Hockey?

Players describe it as a non-contact sport in which two teams try to score points by putting the puck in their opponent’s goal. The venue is inside a swimming pool. As the name suggests, it is played underwater in controlled conditions. Non-contact sport means the players cannot grab each other and limit each other’s movement in any way.

A little bit on the History

Underwater hockey is a fairly new sport. It originated in 1954 by Alan Blake, an open water diver in England and Wales. In order to promote activity among fellow divers in cold water during winters, Blake started playing what they called Octopush. A game in which they maneuver a puck with a stick across the bed of the swimming pool. Its name’s Octopush. Because it involved eight players and a pusher (the hockey stick). Since then, underwater hockey has become a major sport with varying popularity worldwide.

CMAS and WAA

As I said, it is a proper game with international representation. CMAS and WAA act as the governing federations of underwater hockey as well as all the other activities underneath the water. The first World UWH Championship was organized by CMAS in 1980 and hosted by Canada. Similarly, both federations had arranged various tournaments throughout the year. Australia is the current world champion in both men and women category.

Although underwater hockey enjoys fame in many countries, it failed to earn a spot in the Olympics and the World Games.

The Rules of Underwater Hockey

There are a number of rules players have to follow when they are competing in official matches. However, for informal play with friends, you can make do with only the basics. Here are some points that can help you make sense of the game.

The number of Players

Two teams participate in the match. Each consisting of 10 members but only six can play at a time. Other members act as a substitute and come into play when a player runs out of breath underwater. The only people who can compete in this sport are those who excel in free diving. That’s why start taking driving lessons before you play underwater hockey.

One game is usually half an hour long with two 15 minute halves and additional three-minute halves in between. This can differ depending on what tournament you are participating in. World Championship can have twenty minute halves time as well.

Necessary Equipment for UWH

There are seven items that make up the gear for underwater hockey, including snorkel, fins, face mask, puck, stick, gloves, and ear plugs. The stick and puck are specially made of lead and coated with plastic which makes it easier to move around. The snorkel and fins assist underwater movements while the face mask allows more vision than goggles.

The Risk of Injuries

One thing you must absolutely keep in mind is that underwear hockey is a relatively dangerous sport. You need to be sufficiently trained in free diving to be able to play it and even then the risk of injuries is not zero. Since it involves staying underwater for a long time, you can lose consciousness or drown. Although, usually there is professional help available to mitigate the chance of unfortunate accidents.

Underwater Ice Hockey

Speaking of injuries and dangerous sports, underwater hockey isn’t the most precarious out there. That would be underwater ice hockey. Yep, you read that right. It’s is a game that combines swimming and ice hockey. It is played in the bottom of a frozen lake. Definitely, not a game you can play in summers, though you might want to. Underwater Ice Hockey is considered a minor extreme sport because there is a greater risk of players contacting hypothermia, frostbite, and Asphyxiation, etc.

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Hockey From the Depths: How Upside-down Water Hockey Became the Coolest Water Sport

The Sport Played In the Depths

Hockey – better known in Europe as “Ice Hockey” is an intense sport all on its own with players skating up and down the ice, the physical contact, blocking shots.

But what if there was a more extreme version out there? What would you think it would look like?

Ponder no further because the answer takes place underwater – not only that, but it is played upside down.

This extreme variant of hockey was invented in 2005 by Austrian apnea diver Christian Redl, who got the idea to turn the sport into one that his fellow divers would be interested in playing.

Not to be confused with actual underwater hockey, Redl’s variation of upside-down water hockey is played under a sheet of ice with two small breathing holes.

The water is frigid, which limits participants playing time. Too much exertion in a fast-paced game without going up for air can cause serious disorientation. Medical teams are on stand-by, in case of emergency.

Wetsuit Up!

Players are “suited up” with diving masks, fins, wetsuits, and of course, hockey sticks. The sticks used are regular wooden hockey sticks, but the puck is ten inches wide and made of Styrofoam.

This is to ensure that the puck floats underneath the ice surface as players are playing upside down. For safety, each game is comprised of four underwater divers equipped with oxygen tanks that are deployed underneath the ice.

The rink is relatively small, just six feet by eight feet and the breathing holes are cut through on either side of the midline.

The two opposing nets are bound upside down to the ice under the water.

The game is played head-to-head, each team with two players. Players average a break for air every thirty seconds and are granted ten-minute breaks to warm up.

The sport held its first World Championship in Weissensee, Austria in 2007. Teams played beneath twelve inches of water that measured two degrees Celsius. Finland won the inaugural tournament, Austria achieved second place followed by Slovakia who came in third.

Other participating countries included were Czechia, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovenia.Prior to the 2007 tournament, two matches were played in 2005 (an 8-8 tie between Austria and Germany) and 2006 (a 9-8 Austrian victory over Slovakia).

Redl personally organized teams around Europe to participate in the sport’s first championship.

The second Underwater Ice Hockey Championship took place in February 2013 in Austria once again, with the home country winning it all this time around. Redl continues to further the sport and has been successful, despite the extreme nature of the risks that come with playing.

The air temperature alone has to dip into the negatives for the ice to freeze, and competitors have to be well experienced in holding their breath under cold water while doing intense physical activity.

So Who Wants To "Dive" In?

As of this article, there have been no serious injuries or fatalities due to underwater upside-down hockey but there are many serious health risks one needs to consider if they want to participate.

These risks include hypothermia, asphyxiation, and frostbite. Most of these risks are preventable with the help of the wetsuits which are typically pre-heated in warm water. Players are also warned to not exercise after resurfacing from the harsh and cold water.Ice hockey spectators are used to being seated in an arena, but the experience is different when the game is underneath the ice.

Instead, underwater ice hockey fans can see the game through an average-sized monitor that’s covered with tarp on top of the ice, protecting it from the elements.

A cameraperson follows the action underwater, making it possible to record the game. When a player resurfaces, they too can watch the game while catching their breath.

If you attend an underwater hockey match, dress warmly because you will be out in the cold with everyone else.

While there is a version of underwater hockey that is played right-side up and in a swimming pool, Redl’s version that takes place underneath frozen pools and ponds takes the experience up several notches.

As much as ice hockey players are depicted to be “tough as nails”, the dangers and risks in an inverted underwater sport are rigorous. It takes courage – or guts – to enter the deep.

The popularity of Redl’s sport is growing in Europe, but it hasn’t quite made it to North America, yet. If hockey really is the coolest sport on ice, then upside down underwater hockey is the coolest sport in the water – literally.

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Atlanta underwater hockey.

Photograph courtesy of the Swordfish Club

It may sound absurd, à la underwater basket weaving, but underwater hockey is a real sport, invented (according to one story) in the 1950s by a restless scuba diver looking for a new winter fitness activity. It came to Atlanta via Andrei Savu, who’d played underwater hockey at the University of Guelph in Canada. In 2008 he helped start a local club, which practices twice a week at Washington Park Natatorium.

Players wear fins, a mask, a snorkel, a protective glove, and the kind of headgear used in water polo, and the rules are similar to those in ice hockey (though contact isn’t allowed). Swimmers use a wooden or plastic stick to push around a puck that’s weighted to the bottom of the pool. There’s no goalie. You fight for the puck or a pass until you need to surface for air. (Most team members typically hold their breath for 10 to 20 seconds.) “Strategy is a big part of the sport, but since there is no communication underwater, the players have to rely a bit on intuition,” Savu says. “The first few times are strange. But before you know it, you’ll be an excellent swimmer.” meetup.com/atlanta-underwater-hockey

How to train for it Practice BOGDATs (Breathe Once Go Down And Touch), HUHOs (Half Under Half Over, where you swim a half-lap underwater, then a half-lap with your head above the surface), FUs (Full Under, where you swim wall-to-wall underwater), and ASAPs (As Slow As Possible, swimming a full lap under the water as slowly as you can).

Fitness benefits The sport’s national organization—yes, there is one—says it builds swimming and free-diving capability. It’s also good cross-training for scuba divers, runners, and bikers.

Tags athletics Atlanta Underwater Hockey fitness health hockey sports swimming

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SEVEN SEASONS: USSR 1972-1979

 The Golden Age of Hockey in Russia

This section of the Summit in 1974 site presents a historical overview of Russian hockey of the 1970s. It outlines the development Russian hockey specifically during the seven seasons long life span of the World Hockey Association . After the Summit Series 1974, the WHA became the first top pro hockey league to bring European talent from Sweden, Finland and Czechoslovakia to play in North America.

This era is considered the "golden age" of the Soviet hockey. Russian hockey stars of the 1970s were not able to play in the pro leagues. But, they earned international respect for the European hockey style and built the foundation for the future NHL stars - Bure, Fedorov, Hasek, Jagr and many other graduates of European school. The review below introduces the Russian Elite League season-by-season highlights of the 1970s. To view the detailed teams/players statistics, awards of a specific year, please select a specific season in the 1972-1979 range.

USSR: National Championships and Cups

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Best Sniper Award Scoring Leaders (Goals)

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NAHL combine added in Moscow, Russia

By NAHL Communications , 02/20/20, 4:15PM EST

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) announced that the league has added an additional and new Combine for the 2020 season, which will be held at the Southern Ice Arena in Moscow, Russia from May 16-24 and operated by the Vector Sports Agency (VSA) Group. The NAHL Combines are driven by the North American Hockey League in order to serve the most valuable asset to hockey… the players.

The NAHL has had a great track record in recent seasons of Russian and European players having success and the league and advancing onto the NCAA and NHL. The NAHL is no stranger to Russia when it comes to its global identity. Recently, a team of NAHL players participated in the 2019 Sirius Ice Hockey Junior World Cup in Sochi, Russia.

The NAHL Combine in Moscow is operated by the VSA Group and will take place at the Southern Ice Arena. There will be a pre-combine training camp that runs from May 16-20, followed by the combine, which runs from May 21-24.

Register for the NAHL Combine at:  http://www.vectorsportagency.ru/

“We are extremely excited to be adding a seventh NAHL Combine in Russia and expanding our reach as a league. The NAHL has never had more NCAA commitments or exposure, so this is the year to be seen and become a part of that NAHL Experience,” said NAHL Director of Player Personnel Tony Zasowski. “The NAHL is excited for opportunity to host an event in a hockey-rich nation like Russia, who has so much history. Finding the right import players is key to  continue to make the NAHL’s mark in the NCAA and NHL.”

The NAHL Combine in Moscow operated by the VSA Group is for junior-aged players that were born from 2000 to 2004. The event will highlight player exposure to scouts and junior coaches, including those from the NAHL and the NA3HL. Players will learn about proven pathway to NCAA hockey via the NAHL’s Ladder of Development, and it will provide an experience that will help in the player’s next steps in pursuit of playing junior hockey. NAHL Combines are carefully designed to provide an Education, Exposure, and Experience for prospects that strive to advance their hockey development at the junior hockey and college level.

Education ensures the players are provided knowledge about NCAA compliance and eligibility, recruiting processes, the correct and legitimate path to college hockey, as well as an in-depth look at the three different tiers of junior hockey. This includes seminars that discuss the NAHL junior hockey experience, the ladder of development, as well as, NCAA compliance seminars.

Exposure means that players compete in front of junior and college scouts and gain additional exposure through NAHL Central Scouting. With NAHL Tryout Camps and the NAHL Draft taking place from May through July, NAHL Combines are a perfect indicator to evaluate just how ready they are for the next step and receive valuable feedback.

Experience means that players from all over North America and Europe will play multiple games against other NAHL and NCAA hockey prospects with team’s coached by staff members from NAHL, NAHL Central Scouting, and NA3HL teams, providing a top notch, professional, and memorable experience.

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Frustrated Kings have no answer for high-scoring Oilers in Game 3 blowout loss

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Zach Hyman , Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid were three of the most dangerous scorers during the NHL regular season, combining for 127 goals and 315 points for the Edmonton Oilers. Stopping one of them is a challenge, stopping all three is pretty much impossible.

The Kings certainly haven’t found a way to do it, with Hyman, Draisaitl and McDavid combining for five goals and three assists Friday in a 6-1 Oilers win in Game 3 of their Western Conference playoff series that gave Edmonton a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven matchup the trio have dominated.

The loss was just the fifth in the Kings’ last 19 games at Crypto.com Arena, but it might prove to be the most costly since it swung the momentum of the series back to Edmonton and neutralized home-ice advantage should the series go seven games.

For Kings (and Lakers and Clippers), home is where the playoff action is

As the Kings head back to L.A. after exhilarating Game 2 OT win, they’ll find Crypto.com Arena to be very busy as three tenants host multiple playoff games this week.

April 25, 2024

The way Hyman, Draisaitl and McDavid have been playing, that seems unlikely.

“They’re good players. They’ve done it for a long time,” Kings interim coach Jim Hiller said. “They’re executing pretty well. They’re executing at a high level.”

Executing so well, Edmonton has outscored the Kings 17-10 in the series.

“It’s two for them, one for us. And you need to win four in the series,” Hiller said. “We’ll have to play better than we did tonight.”

The Edmonton trio has combined for 10 goals and 13 assists in the series. Three of the goals came in the first period Friday, burying the Kings in a hole they could never climb out of.

Hyman scored less than seven minutes into the game after a giveaway by defensemen Drew Doughty made it possible. After a faceoff, Edmonton’s Mattias Ekholm jumped on a lazy backhand pass from Doughty near the Kings’ blueline, then fed Hyman alone in the slot.

The Oilers’ forward took a couple of whacks at the puck, with Kings goalie Cam Talbot stopping both tries, before Hyman finally stuffed it inside the post on Talbot’s stick side for his league-leading fifth goal of the playoffs. He would get his sixth two periods later, giving him goals in all three games of the series.

Draisaitl doubled the lead late in the first period, gathering a pass that Evander Kane bounced off the side of the Kings’ net, then beating Talbot cleanly with a shot from a sharp angle near the bottom of the left circle for his 82nd career playoff point.

Three minutes later, McDavid scored on a power play, knocking in a rebound of his own shot for his first goal of these playoffs. Evan Bouchard picked up his fifth assist and Draisaitl his fourth on the play.

Doughty got the Kings on the board 5:32 into the second period, one-timing a cross pass from Quinton Byfield into the net. For Byfield, the assist was his third in two games, pushing his playoff point streak to five games. But Kane got the goal back for Edmonton two minutes later, deflecting in a shot by defenseman Cody Ceci from the blue line off his leg past Talbot.

The game degenerated early in the third period with the Kings, who have been eliminated by Edmonton in the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons, showing their frustration. Three Kings players were sent off the ice: defenseman Andreas Englund for fighting and an illegal check to the head, captain Anze Kopitar for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct and leading scorer Adrian Kempe for roughing.

Three Oilers also went off after the skirmish, but the double penalites on Kopitar and Englund left Edmonton with a five-on-three advantage and Hyman needed less than 80 seconds to take advantage, scoring his sixth goal of the series to give Edmonton a 5-1 lead.

That was the second of three power-play goals — on seven opportunities — by the Oilers. The Kings were scoreless in five chances with the man advantage and have yet to produce a power-play goal in the series.

“I don’t know how they had so many power plays, to be honest. The calls were ...” Kings forward Kevin Fiala said before he was cut off by a team employee.

McDavid got his playoff-high seventh assist on Hyman’s second goal, but the Oilers’ Big Three weren’t done, with Draisaitl tacking on another power-play goal at 12:38. McDavid got an assist on that one as well.

The one-sided score line could be a bad omen for the Kings, who were routed 8-2 by the Oilers in Game 3 in Los Angeles two years ago and went on to lose the series in seven games.

The challenge for the Kings is to slow the Oilers’ offense enough to get back in the series.

“They’re not impossible to stop. We stopped them last game,” Fiala said. “Obviously they’re very good players. But we have to do a better job.”

More to Read

‘We’re not out of it’: Kings look to even Oilers series in Game 4

April 27, 2024

Anze Kopitar’s overtime goal lifts Kings past Oilers in Game 2 thriller

April 24, 2024

Kings’ penalty kill, a strength all year, becomes weakness in deflating loss to Oilers

April 23, 2024

Kevin Baxter writes about soccer and other things for the Los Angeles Times, where he has worked for 27 years. He has covered seven World Cups, four Olympic Games, six World Series and a Super Bowl and has contributed to three Pulitzer Prize-winning series at The Times and Miami Herald. An essay he wrote in fifth grade was voted best in the class. He has a cool dog.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Kings look uninspired in blowout loss to Edmonton Oilers in Game 1

Why Kings vs. Oilers is one of the NHL’s truly great rivalries

April 22, 2024

‘I think we owe them.’ Kings eager to flip the script with Oilers in the NHL playoffs

April 19, 2024

Kings defeat Blackhawks in overtime thriller, will face Oilers again in playoffs

April 18, 2024

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Deadly Rains and Floods Sweep Cities Across East Africa

Downpours have killed at least 200 people and submerged homes and farms in Tanzania, Kenya and Burundi.

By Abdi Latif Dahir

Reporting from Nairobi, Kenya

At least 200 people were killed and dozens more were injured across East Africa in recent days, officials and aid groups said, as torrential rains, floods and landslides pummeled towns and cities in a region already grappling with the devastating effects of the climate change crisis and dilapidated infrastructure in poor areas.

The extreme rains unleashed a wave of destruction across Tanzania, Kenya and Burundi, flooding homes, demolishing businesses and leaving many people stranded on rooftops.

The downpours exposed yet again the bad roads and poor drainage systems in some of the region’s biggest cities, which residents have persistently complained about. They also revealed how poor people, who live in sprawling shantytowns without access to proper roads, water or power, bear the biggest brunt of destructive floods.

On Thursday, activists and opposition figures across the region called on governments to do more than respond to the extensive destruction wrought by floods, by improving infrastructure to lessen or prevent such flooding in the first place.

Raila Odinga, a longtime opposition figure in Kenya, said authorities should learn from the ongoing devastation and take long-term measures to save lives.

“Preparedness is key to forestalling a crisis of larger proportions,” Mr. Odinga said in a news conference. “We can do better than crying for help when the rains come and crying for help again when the rains fail.”

In Tanzania, at least 155 people were killed and 236 others were injured by the relentless rain that has swept several parts of the country in recent days, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said on Thursday.

Speaking during a session in Parliament, Mr. Majaliwa said the rains had affected some 200,000 people and heavily damaged farms, bridges, roads, schools and places of worship. About 10,000 homes in Tanzania were also damaged to varying degrees, he said.

The heavy downpours this week affected informal settlements in the Temeke and Ilala districts, which are part of the commercial port city of Dar es Salaam. Some roads were also submerged and temporarily closed on Tuesday in Dar’s Jangwani, Mkwajuni and Kigogo neighborhoods, all of which are prone to floods. Parts of Morogoro Road, which leads into the central part of the city, were also underwater, leading to the suspension of the rapid-bus network.

The Tanzania Meteorological Authority has warned that heavy rains and strong winds would continue to pummel several parts of the country in the coming days.

In Kenya, at least 45 people have died and at least 27 others have been injured since March, when the rainfall season, known in the country as the “long rains,” began, said Munir Ahmed, the senior communications officer with Kenya Red Cross.

The flooding has so far killed 4,000 livestock, destroyed 27,000 acres of crops and damaged 22 roads, Mr. Ahmed said in a phone interview on Thursday. More than 66,000 people have been displaced nationwide, he said.

The intense rainfall has affected 26 of Kenya’s 47 counties, Mr. Munir added.

In Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, where some of the country’s heaviest rain has fallen, more than 30,000 people have been displaced, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs . On Tuesday, 18 people, including seven children, who were stranded in the Mathare shantytown were rescued, the Kenya Red Cross said.

Even some middle-income and wealthy suburbs in Nairobi were damaged by the deluge, with some ground-floor apartments and homes engulfed by the floods.

The heavy rains on Wednesday forced Kenya Railways to suspend commuter train services. The Kenya Urban Roads Authority partly closed four major roads in Nairobi and warned of heavy flooding along several major highways in the capital and in the coastal city of Mombasa.

Water inundated several counties around Lake Victoria in western Kenya, aid groups said. Flooding also swept entire roadways in Machakos County, about 35 miles southeast of Nairobi.

On Thursday, President William Ruto of Kenya led an emergency meeting aimed at responding to the floods. Mr. Ruto said government agencies were undertaking joint operations to assist the victims, conduct rescues and evacuate those who remained at risk. Mr. Ruto also said he asked the military to support the operations.

As in Tanzania, the rains in Kenya were not expected to subside over the next few days, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department, which had rain in the forecast for parts of the country, including Nairobi, through Monday. The agency also warned of a high likelihood of breakouts of diseases such as malaria in some areas.

“We need to put everyone on alert,” Mr. Ruto said.

Floods and landslides have also devastated Burundi, where since last month the rising waters of Lake Tanganyika have pushed residents to abandon their homes , according to aid groups.

The latest downpours come just months after torrential rains and floods killed dozens of people and displaced thousands more across the East African region. Climate scientists said those rains — along with preceding devastating droughts — were exacerbated by climate change .

Abdi Latif Dahir is the East Africa correspondent for The Times, based in Nairobi, Kenya. He covers a broad range of issues including geopolitics, business, society and arts. More about Abdi Latif Dahir

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