Equipment

So you're ready to get your own gear. Here are things to keep in mind:

1. Fit: every body shape is different. A well-fitted mask that doesn't leak is paramount. Fins stretch and mold to a player's foot.

2. Personal preference: from color to style, it's more fun to use something we like.

3. Maintenance & Hygiene: you can clean and repair your gear as often as needed.

4. Club gear is really only good for starting players. You'll notice the limits of beginner gear as you progress.

After 3 months:

Required to own (~$180)

• • • Tight-fitting swimsuit (briefs or jammers for gentlemen; one or two-piece sport suits for ladies)

      • For tournaments: SFUWH team suits (check with club leadership on any new vendors that might be available)

    • Bag to keep stuff ($0-200)

    • Dive mask: $65 — our favorite youth mask

      • Adult options: $46, $46, $22

      • Straily Mask: $115 for the best protection, but limited fit — definitely try before you buy.

    • Large Bore Snorkel (LBS) ($25*, $30)

      • If you're buying a LBS from CanAm, you can get a TeamUSA version for the same price (look at colored LBS)

      • NOTE: Snorkels come in two flavors: Regular and Large Bore (LBS). The difference is the diameter of the opening; ~1" in diameter in a large bore snorkel vs. ~3/4" in regular. A larger opening brings in more air for each breath. Youth <12y sometimes have a tough time clearing a LBS; use the club's gear to make sure first. Otherwise, a normal bore snorkel ($22) might be better.

    • Glove ($55, €35, $??) (and custom sellers: Ivet & Frog)

      • NOTE: HydroUWH is the primary global supplier of gloves. Their more durable gloves take ~4-weeks to hand-make, while beginner gloves are ready-to-ship, but are not appropriate for adult players or advanced youth.

    • Mouth guard ($12)

    • Snorkel keeper (x2) ($1.50), sometimes this comes with a new snorkel

      • • Many players like O-rings for a tighter fit. These EPDM O-Rings won't degrade in chlorine or salt water; 63mm or 65mm are generally the right size for attaching an LBS to headgear (you may have to drill additional holes in the plastic ear protectors). Silicone and rubber O-rings degrade in chlorine and will break over time.

    • Sticks ($25, $35, and up; usually sold as a set of 1 black & 1 white stick)

    • Caps ($40, $40, includes black & white

      • For tournaments: team caps can be customized with your name!

Recommended to own (~$135)

• Fins (made with rubber: $80, $85, $115; carbon fiber: $350 +S/H/T from Australia, $500 +S/H/T from France)

• Booties [optional] ($10)

After 6 months

Must have all items above.

• Mask - Small volume free diving masks are best, but any diving mask with two tempered glass panes (or a plastic sphero mask) will work fine. Swim goggles are not allowed. A mask doubles as a nose plug and face shield and doesn't fog as much as goggles. The best visibility and protection are provided by the "Straily Mask" which has become omnipresent in tournament play.

  • Note: Sometimes, masks come ready to use if they have an anti-fog film. Modern glass and plastic masks usually have this. DO NOT USE TOOTHPASTE ON PLASTIC LENSES; use soap for those. 

  • Othertimes, especially cheaper glass lens masks, are processed in manufacturing to be resistant to conventional anti-fog measures. It is important to remove this film from the lens prior to your first dive. To remove this: Carefully burn the inside of your new mask's lenses with a lighter (yes, fire), followed by white toothpaste or with specialized dive mask cleaner. Use toothpaste (after the lighter) or Sea Buff cleaner: rub it onto the lenses with your finger, allow to sit for 5+ minutes, then rinse with fresh water. Repeat the paste step at least one more time. 

• De-Fog - By far, the best de-fog is merely baby shampoo and water. Use roughly 1/3 baby shampoo and 2/3 tap water. 

• Snorkel - You want to be able to breathe while scanning the bottom of the pool for the puck and your next position. Must be 100% flexible with no hard plastic parts (that could harm others). Large bore (to get more air quicker) are best.

• Fins - Fins allow you to maneuver quickly and with speed. Many elite UWH players in the world use Najade Iron Fins or Murena Fins and make customized foot pocket liners to help them fit better (see this series of instructional videos for making liners). You may also have to trim the fins. For more in-depth info on fins, check out this video.

  • Fins are variable person to person. Carbon fiber (composite)  fins such as Penetrators or Breiers are $200+, but offer huge acceleration at a slower kicking cadence. The World Championship has been won by teams wearing both polymer fins and composite fins. It's always best to try on fins (ask a fellow player!) so you can find the right fit.

• Stick - About 10 inches long, usually plastic and always sold in sets with 1x black & 1x white stick. Elite players like Hydro sticks.

• Glove - Protects your knuckles from abrasion against the pool bottom. It also pads your hand when someone hits your hand instead of the puck. It is common practice to buy a cut-proof glove or even a gardening glove and cover it with Aquaseal, Shoegoo, or silicone rubber caulking but this is best done with at least one other person who's done it before. Keep an eye out for team glove-making parties! You can also buy them from UWH suppliers and at large tournaments.

• Ear protectors - Required at practice and tournaments. Getting hit in the ear with a fin may pop your eardrum if done right. Look for water polo caps. Some wear wrestling headgear as well, but tournaments require full caps with numbers.

• Mouth Guards - An exterior or interior mouth guard is required at all times. Saves teeth from potential damage.

• Swimsuit - Men's recommended suits are briefs ("Speedos"), women's are one or two piece sport suits. The club has designed very cool club suits.

Where to Buy Online?

• CanAm Underwater Hockey Gear: Based in the USA. Free shipping! Can take several weeks or months to ship.

• Hydro UWH: fast shipping and wide selection of quality gear; ships from New Zealand, so shipping costs can be quite high on low-volume orders. Subject to tariffs!

• More-Sport: Based in France; has many items, now ships world-wide!

• LeisurePro has loads of choice, and excellent deals sometime. Not everything is UWH-approved.

• UWHShop will ship worldwide, but their selection is sub-par. 

• British Octopush Association will ship worldwide, but they're relatively expensive. 

Where to Buy in San Francisco?

• Sports Basement has some great swimming stuff that sometimes is applicable to UWH.

• REI has snorkeling packages, but they're rarely any good or appropriate for the safety requirements of UWH.