Where to buy equipment

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Kit

Under Water Hockey requires standard snorkelling equipment, a glove and a stick. You can buy all of this from the British Octopush Association shop (quote your membership number to get a discount) or get everything except for a stick from your local dive shop.

Unlike most sports equipment snorkelling gear is an investment that will last you years and may see use on every holiday you take. Most kit  is of a very high standard and will last years if washed in clean water after use. My mask and fins are over 20 years old and have seen action on beaches all over the world.

You will need (purchase in this order if skint)

  • Mask (~ £20 – £ 60)
    • I recommend a mask with two windows (called “low volume”) and a clear silicone skirt (the bit that fits to your face).
      • In a shop the assistant can help you select a mask that is a good fit to your face.
      • If you need prescription lenses (~£ 50 pair) ask the assistant to recommend a mask to you.
  • Snorkel {~ £10 – £ 30)
    • The snorkel should not have any valves or similar at the top where it is in the air. You may find a blow valve at the bottom useful but a snorkel is a snorkel. You might want to colour match it to your mask.
  • Stick (~ £ 30)
    • Get these from the BOA shop. They come in right or left hand versions and you always get a pair, one black and one white.
  • Glove (~ £ 3)
    • An orange nylon give aka “boat handlers glove” costing a couple of quid will get you going. The BOA shop sells nice ones and some people make their own.
  • Fins (~ £ 30)
    • You want comfortable slip-on fins (sometimes called “pool fins”). It is up to you whether you want to wear socks for extra protection against chafing. Most don’t, some do.
    • If you already have a pair of buckle on fins for diving you can use them (I do)
  • It is a requirement of the the BOA and the rules of Octopush that you have personal safety equipment
    • A cap with hard protection for your ears (~ £ 18 for two, one blue, one white)
    • A mouth guard for your snorkel (~ £ 3)

Dive shops

There are many dive shops in London and one is sure to be close to you or on your commute (Ocean Leisure at Charing Cross is very convenient) worth a particular mention is Amphibian Sports which is only a couple of miles from Forest Hill Pools.

Here is a Google Map showing them all the dive shops in London. Simply click a marker to learn more about them. If you are planning a visit I recommend that you call them first and explain what you want and then they will ready to help you when you arrive.