Best 10 Underwater Hockey Equipment to Play Better in 2024

Alan Bake was a founder member of the Southsea Sub-Aqua Club (SSAC) in the UK in 1954. He has an idea to encourage diving in winter to stay fit for all members. Yes, he invented Underwater hockey, which is originally known as the Octopush sport.

Now, underwater hockey is one of the most popular sports in various countries in the world. Though it is a very enjoyable and funny game underwater, there are a few risks of serious injuries. Potential injuries are deeper cuts, broken fingers, head, and life-threatening situations like drowning.

So, without proper underwater hockey equipment and safety, never try this game. If you have a professional mentor, he never permits you to dive into water without all the equipment. But if you haven't professional, then be very serious about safety and other octopush equipment. 

10 Must-Have Underwater Hockey Equipment List

We have divided into two types of underwater hockey gear, such as compulsory and optional. Most of these octopush gear are mandatory to use while playing, a few of them, depending on the situation. Let's see the list of octopush sports gear 

01. Puck (Most Important of the Match) 

The puck is the main gear or object for playing a match of underwater hockey. As a ball is important for Football or Rugby, the puck is such important as a ball. Players use their sticks to move and put the puck into the other team's goal tray.

The average weight of an underwater puck is around 28.8 ounces or 0.82 kg, a heavy and flat object. It is made of plastic, and it slides along the pool bottom. The price of this octopush gear is around $50-$80 based on the quality and locations.

02. Water Polo Cap (Head Safety for Underwater Hockey)

Everyone knows that the head is the most crucial part of our body. But the head comes in the list of potential injuries in this sport. So you must have a water polo cap for playing octopush.

Usually, the underwater hockey equipment and polo cap can be worn under or over the mask. Most of the polo caps have adjusted ear protectors and the snorkel also adjusted with this part. The price is not too much as its importance in the octopush game. You will find this one around $12-$25 for a quality product. 

03. Snorkel (Breathing Essential)

The snorkel helps the player to take a breath while he/she keeps an eye on the game. It is like a lifeline, ensuring the continuous oxygen supply during intense gameplay. You will need a water polo cap to stick the snorkel on your head.

Some players customize this equipment for underwater hockey for better performance. The cost of the diving snorkel is around $20 to $35 for a good quality product. 

Without having a quality snorkel, you can't perform well in underwater hockey. Even you will have a life risk also for in the deep of the water while playing, so be careful about it. 

04. Snorkel Keeper

Snorkel Keeper is a small gear compared to the other equipment we are providing in this list, but it can also be a life-saving tool. When you need to breathe underwater, you will need a snorkel, and without a snorkel, you can't stick it.

Overall, we can't avoid any tool that is required for diving, or underwater activities. You can easily find it on Amazon or other sports stores from anywhere for $4-$7. Let's go to the next equipment of the octopush sports.

05. Underwater Mask

The underwater mask is also an important gear on this underwater hockey equipment list. Because there are a few strong reasons to use a mask, it also has a few extra benefits. 

Here are 5 reasons and advantages why you should have an underwater mask for playing octopush.

• Clear Vision: Underwater hockey happens at the bottom of a pool, so without a mask, you can't see clearly. You need to identify your opponent players and the puck to play.
• Eye Safety: The mask provides eye and face safety at the bottom of a pool. Without a mask, players would be susceptible to injuries such as eye scratches or bruises.
• Comfortable: A well-fitting mask can provide comfort during the playing time so that you can focus on the game. Also, it keeps water out of the eyes.
• Breathing Support: Some masks have a snorkel mount attached so that players can breathe on the water's surface during breaks.
• Easy Communication: Another benefit is easy communication with the teammates. If players have a quality mask, they can communicate by seeing each other to reach their goal.

Finally, let's talk about the cost of this essential octopus gear. We recommend purchasing a quality mask for better performance in the game. You may find it around $25-$40 in the local market or online. 

06. Octopush Sports Fins

Fins help to guide a player underwater hockey playing and swimming. There are two different types of fins based on the design, such as a full foot pocket and heel strap. 

Most of the professional octopush players choose the full-foot pocket. Because it is more comfortable than the heel strap. There are a lot of sports brands that offer various types of fins for beginners or specialist players. 

But most of the octopush enthusiasts like to wear custom-made fins based on their feet. They pay a huge amount on fins like $400-$500 because of the better performance and comfort. If you are a newbie, Breier or Nemo Fins might be the best underwater hockey fins for beginners, around $180-$300. 

07. Ear Guards

Most of the ear protector comes with the head polo cap adjusted. That's why we don't need to buy earguards individually. But if you have no ear protector features on your water photo cap, then you must add it. However, you have to chance to avoid the ear guards from the underwater hockey equipment.

08. Octopush Glove

Octopush Glove reduces the potential risk and increases the protection one step ahead. As you know, the finger is on the list of high-potential underwater hockey injuries. So, gloves can provide safety to the fingers and wrists during the playing time.

Also, gloves help to grab the stick/sticks confidently while you are underwater. Some special gloves come with buoyant materials. If you have this type of glove, you will advantage of swift movements and efficient play. 

Overall, it can enhance your performance during the game. There are various types of gloves for various prices, usually, you will find them around $50-$500. 

09. Underwater Hockey Mouthguard

An underwater mouth guard or mouth protector is also an important octopush equipment. It can protect against any unwanted injuries to the jaw or face during the game. 

So, if you have played any match without having a mouthguard, forget it and start using it. You know, any club or organization never allows any player without proper safety equipment.

However, the mouth guard is specially designed for the protection of the dental, jaw, and face. Now let's have an idea about the prices, the price is not too much. You can buy from the Breier sports brand for around €10-€15. So, don't need to worry, have a mouth guard and be safe, play better.

10. Octopush Stick

Octopush stick is super important underwater hockey equipment to play the game Octopush. Though this is not any safety gear, also it is important because you can't play without a stick. It is the second essential gear of the entire match, after the puck.

You have to control the puck through this stick to pass to your teammates or put it into the opponent's goal. 

In simple language, every movement of the puck happens in an underwater hockey game by the stick. The stick is made with wood, fiberglass, or carbon, and the cost is around $60-$250 based on the quality.

4 Special But Optional Octopush Equipment

Besides the must-have gears, there is also a piece of equipment that you might need during the game. Moreover, the must-have gears, there are also equipment that you might need during the game. 

Nobody ever told you about this equipment that can enhance your performance better than your team leader. Here is a list of the three best optional gear that you can use to boost your playing performance. 

01. Hair Tie

Generally, the polo cap covers your hair while playing underwater hockey. There is a 3-minute break time after a 30-minute game. Many players want to take off the head cap for a bit of relaxation but can’t do this for their long hair. If you have a hair tie, it is easy to set up your long hair within just a few seconds. The hair tie can be very helpful, especially for women players.

02. Rash Guard

Rash is also an important underwater hockey equipment that helps to prevent any accident on your body. Moreover, the rash guard is such a gear that can help to boost your swimming speed, if you have the right one. 

03. Special Gloves

Already we have informed you about the power of special gloves. What do you think, about why serious octopush players invest in expensive gloves? You might be not aware that these expensive gloves can help them to boost their performance by helping through better buoyancy.

04. Special Fins

There are various types of fins available for octopush players. Most of these products or services are made of plastic, rubber, silicon, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. Beginners can use silicon or plastic fins. But advanced player customizes their special fins with high-quality carbon fiber. 

These octopush equipment are not mandatory to use. But if you think scientifically and logically, then you will find the advantages of using these expensive materials. That's why professionals never think to buy this expensive gear. 

Conclusion

Underwater hockey was started to stay fit during the winter period, then it became a popular sport. But the sport can be helpful into harmful, if you haven't proper safety. So you must have underwater hockey equipment to perform the best during the game without any tension about the injury.

The most common octopush equipment are masks, polo caps, fins, snorkels, gloves, and more. You can find these octopush equipment for different prices in locations. 

However, if you are searching for underwater hockey equipment from the UK, Australia, and Canada then you will find nearly the same cost. Outside these countries, there might be a bit higher price.

If you have found durable, flexible, and high-quality gear, it will be worth for higher price. Because these equipments will enhance your performance and your motivation for regular practice. Octopush playing is such a habit like daily exercise to get a fit body.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Equipment Do You Need for Underwater Hockey?

You will need a few key pieces of octopush gear to play underwater hockey properly. 

• First, wear a mask to see underwater, and also add a perfect-fitting mouthguard for protection. 
• Then wear a polo cap on the head, gloves on the hand, and a special pair of fins on your feet. Another important piece of equipment is a snorkel, which can help you breathe underwater. 
• Finally, you will need a puck and an underwater hockey stick to start playing.

What Material is Used To Make an Underwater Hockey Stick?

There are various types of materials used for various types of underwater hockey sticks. Mostly uses materials like Fiberglass or Carbon fiber for professional octopush games. But for the higher prices, a lot of brands come with plastic or low-quality materials sticks. So that entry-level players can afford the cost of an underwater hockey stick. The right materials of the stick depend on your skills and your budget.

Is Underwater Hockey an Olympic Sport?

As of 2024, underwater hockey is not offered by the Olympics. But it is recognized by a lot of country governments, including the International Olympic Committee. Underwater hockey was started in England by the name of Octopush in 1954. Now it is one of the most popular sports in the UK, Australia, Canada, NZ, the US, South Africa, and more countries.