Interested? Curious? Ready to Sign Up?

Then you've come to the right place.

There are two active Underwater Hockey clubs in Colorado. New players are welcome at both clubs at any time, and there are always experienced players around to teach you the game.

The CSU club is actively recruiting players for the spring semester, and will be having regular 'learn-to-play' instructional sessions at practices during the next few months, so this is a great time to join if you're new to the sport. Browse through the list of frequently-asked-questions below to learn more, or send us an email at ColoradoUnderwaterHockey@Gmail.com

Who can play?

Underwater hockey is a fast, fun, non-contact, co-ed sport. Men and women of all ages are welcome at club practices. Basic swimming skills and comfort in the water are recommended, but we'll teach you the rest!

What equipment do I need?

All you need is a swimsuit. If you have your own snorkeling gear (mask, fins, snorkel) that you'd like to use, feel free to bring it, but if not, we have plenty for you to borrow.

Do I have to be good at holding my breath?

Don't worry. Underwater hockey IS played underwater, and you DO need to hold your breath, but it's a lot easier than you think. Underwater hockey is a remarkably fast-paced game, and the focus is on quick, strategic movements and smart, cohesive teamwork. A single player rarely stays underwater for longer than 10 or 15 seconds at a time, and you can spend as much time on the surface as you need to catch your breath between dives. Substitutions are done on-the-fly like in ice hockey, so if you're tired or out of breath, you can always sub out and take a break.

Are there goalies?

No. Some teams play with a designated 'Stopper' or lone defensive player, but the stopper does not remain 'in goal' the way an ice hockey goalie or soccer keeper does. Generally, all the players on a team, whether they're playing offense or defense, move around the pool so as to be close to the action. For more information about positions and formations, check out the strategy page.

Where are practices?

Currently, the CSU club is practicing at EPIC, located just off Prospect at Riverside, about 2 miles from CSU campus. Practices are Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:30. Later in the semester, we may be adding another weekly practice at the Moby Pool on Campus. For more information on practice times and locations, visit the Practices Page.

I've never played before - What should I expect at a practice?

The CSU club usually has several new or nearly-new players at any given time, so we have regular learn-to-play sessions where we explain and demonstrate the basics of the game. Each practice involves some combination of drills, instruction and scrimmage-play. Players with all levels of athletic backgrounds are welcome, and we'll provide one-on-one instruction and guidance as needed, whether you're just trying to get in shape or take your game to the next level.

Does CU have a team? Who do we play against?

A CU team is in the process of being formed (spring semester, 2008). There is also a well-established club in Denver that has been practicing regularly for over 15 years. Regularly weekly practices of the CSU/Fort Collins club will involve scrimmage-play against our own players. If you're interested in more serious competition, there are several opportunities available. We hold mini-tournaments every month or two, where we bring together players from Denver and Fort Collins, split the available players into several teams and play a short tournament with round-robin games and a playoff series. These mini-tournaments are usually held at the Moby Pool on CSU campus, and they're a great way to get a taste of competitive underwater hockey without having to travel or pay expensive tournament fees (Mini-tournaments cost between $5 and $10 per person, depending on how many players attend). There are also full-scale tournaments held at various locations around the US and the World on a regular basis. Denver hosts an annual tournament every January, and the two colorado clubs often send teams or individual players to compete in various regional and national-level tournaments. If you're interested and want to compete, we'll be happy to get you on a competitive team for whatever tournament you'd like to go to.