![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6L37YKGO55BAZFICR7OEYXLNXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e371de789bbe2ec4c4091588cf0f565c6c9cafda8e68561cb8ed80947b4c78ee&width=400&height=225)
The sport is also known as octopush.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PKUOPLIOHFBGNLUYLRIJ3722AA.jpg?smart=true&auth=aab9e075066a5fc2e35c1918a092168d652ea078de4c6ff161ecf45850d8493e&width=400&height=225)
Underwater hockey makes a splash at Abu Dhabi Ducks Underwater Hockey Club. The sport is played by two teams of six people in a pool between two metres and four metres deep. All photos by Anas Allwama
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7QXPPXUT6ZHM5CGU2FIPB4OLD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c98588fb9c953812da531d5374c61ff5c501f853222ff36641b832ce4b75a017&width=400&height=225)
Players have to hold their breath for 10 to 30 seconds at a time and be sure not to come up for air too early – or too late. They do that through a snorkel and wear fins on their feet to propel them through the water.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SLOAM6Q5KVAYDLVQQ4NL7GXP7M.jpg?smart=true&auth=0cfd18b65fda21f6bcd039d7fa2c832be970c08b431d65ab825201f8ea11c374&width=400&height=225)
The sport, invented by the British navy in the 1950s, is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SXQHIMHUTJBQ7DRCWBZBY5C6QY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d99b934878748926cbe70094cf91c9cdd455215f4779729db623694dca01f1f1&width=400&height=225)
You need good stamina and free-diving skills to excel in the sport.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RM3XXKFJNRAQDJ3UA7NTD3VTI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fba5bb7553681032a0447e603843664594520c0e7ee0e54814f6ddae7750382f&width=400&height=225)
Players wear mouth guards and protective gloves as the puck can move surprisingly quickly in the water.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6L37YKGO55BAZFICR7OEYXLNXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e371de789bbe2ec4c4091588cf0f565c6c9cafda8e68561cb8ed80947b4c78ee&width=400&height=225)
The sport is also known as octopush.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PKUOPLIOHFBGNLUYLRIJ3722AA.jpg?smart=true&auth=aab9e075066a5fc2e35c1918a092168d652ea078de4c6ff161ecf45850d8493e&width=400&height=225)
Underwater hockey makes a splash at Abu Dhabi Ducks Underwater Hockey Club. The sport is played by two teams of six people in a pool between two metres and four metres deep. All photos by Anas Allwama
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7QXPPXUT6ZHM5CGU2FIPB4OLD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c98588fb9c953812da531d5374c61ff5c501f853222ff36641b832ce4b75a017&width=400&height=225)
Players have to hold their breath for 10 to 30 seconds at a time and be sure not to come up for air too early – or too late. They do that through a snorkel and wear fins on their feet to propel them through the water.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SLOAM6Q5KVAYDLVQQ4NL7GXP7M.jpg?smart=true&auth=0cfd18b65fda21f6bcd039d7fa2c832be970c08b431d65ab825201f8ea11c374&width=400&height=225)
The sport, invented by the British navy in the 1950s, is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SXQHIMHUTJBQ7DRCWBZBY5C6QY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d99b934878748926cbe70094cf91c9cdd455215f4779729db623694dca01f1f1&width=400&height=225)
You need good stamina and free-diving skills to excel in the sport.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RM3XXKFJNRAQDJ3UA7NTD3VTI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fba5bb7553681032a0447e603843664594520c0e7ee0e54814f6ddae7750382f&width=400&height=225)
Players wear mouth guards and protective gloves as the puck can move surprisingly quickly in the water.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6L37YKGO55BAZFICR7OEYXLNXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e371de789bbe2ec4c4091588cf0f565c6c9cafda8e68561cb8ed80947b4c78ee&width=400&height=225)
The sport is also known as octopush.
Underwater hockey: quirky sport makes a splash in the UAE
Sport invented by the British navy in the 1950s is now recognised by the International Olympic Committee
![Gillian Duncan](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F736ebb26-e270-44c5-96a2-80452d783888.png?smart=true&auth=6b2c4dc0614f332daaa4e848c41f090496fd16da3ccccaa940132372e6a74710&width=70&height=70)
Gillian Duncan
24 September, 2021
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