Water polo is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world, with constant treading of water, swimming, and trying to not drown…all while attempting to put a ball in the back of the net. Likewise, rugby’s one of the most physically intensive sports around, priding itself on the absence of pads and the likelihood that blood will be spilled in each rugby match. Someone, somewhere decided that since these two sports are so difficult they might as well combine them for a super sport, an underwater amalgamation of rugby and water polo known as ‘Underwater Rugby’. Below is a video showing the lung-busting physical exertion required in Underwater Rugby, after the video we can get to the extreme details of this sport.
Underwater Rugby (UWR):
According to Wikipedia Underwater Rugby (UWR) has actually been around for several decades (first invented in the 1960’s), with the first UWR (Underwater Rugby) World Championship being played back in 1980. So excuse me if you bros have already heard of this sport, but I like to think I’m at least moderately informed about most things sport-related and I’ve sure as sh*t never heard of Underwater Rugby (UWR) until today.
Here’s how a game of Underwater Rugby (UWR) is played, according to Wikipedia:
It is played under water in a pool with a depth of 3.5m to 5m and goals (heavy metal buckets with a diameter of about 40 cm) at the bottom of the pool. Two teams (blue and white), each with six players (plus six substitutes), try to score a goal by sending the slightly negatively buoyant ball (filled with saltwater) into the opponents’ goal. It is a fast and exhausting game; therefore, the subs replace their players on the fly.
The ball may be passed in any direction but must not leave the water. It “flies” about 2m or 3m before water resistance stops it. This makes good tactics and good (three-dimensional) positioning essential. The players need all sorts of different abilities: Strength, speed, agility or good teamplay are all similarly important.
If you’re interested in getting involved with Underwater Rugby (UWR) here in the United States there are 11 clubs spread throughout the nation, though only 4 of those 11 clubs are listed as ‘active’.
The UWR clubs currently listed as active include the following:
San Francisco Giant Sea Basses (San Francisco, California)
East Haven Makos (East Haven, Connecticut)
Quincy Nahrwals UW Rugby (Quincy, Massachusetts)
New Jersey Hammerheads (Newark, New Jersey)
Yah, so basically unless you’re living in the Northeast or in San Francisco you’re f*cked if you’re looking to compete in an Underwater Rugby (UWR) league.
And if you’re looking to learn more about UWR here’s a video of the 2009 World Championship between Sweden and Norway:
[TheOcho]