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The Charleston Underwater Hockey Clubs will be hosting an Underwater Hockey Expo with free food, door prizes, drawings, sponsored underwater swim challenges and scrimmages. All ages are welcome.Charleston’s Best Kept Secret is at the Bottom of a Pool.
Let’s be honest. When you tell someone you play underwater hockey, you get a familiar, quizzical look. The head tilts. The eyebrows furrow. "HUH!?"
Yes, it’s a real sport. And right here in the Lowcountry, it's one of the most exciting, challenging, and surprisingly accessible activities you’ve probably never heard of. Forget everything you think you know about sports, because this one happens in a different dimension—a silent, three-dimensional world where strategy, timing, and teamwork take on a whole new meaning.
Picture this: You’re weightless, gliding effortlessly through the water. Below you, a team of six players moves with purpose, like a school of fish on a mission. A heavy, 2.5lb puck zips across the pool bottom, passed between players using short, paddle-like sticks. The goal is simple: get the puck into the opponent's goal. The execution? That’s where the magic happens.
More Brains Than Lungs
The first thing everyone assumes is that you need the lung capacity of a blue whale. Not true. The secret to underwater hockey isn't about holding your breath forever; it's about being in the right place at the right time. Most dives to the bottom last just five to eight seconds. Think of it less like an endurance contest and more like aquatic chess. Since you can't exactly shout "I'm open!" to your teammates, the game relies on anticipation, positioning, and a silent understanding that develops between players. It's a full-body workout that engages your mind as much as your muscles.
Our local team, the Charleston Blockade Runners, has been a force to be reckoned with since 1992, consistently representing the Low Country at the National Championships. This isn't just a quirky hobby; it's a legitimate, co-ed sport with a World Championship held every two years, drawing teams from North/South America, Europe, Asia and Oceanna. And here's the best part: women compete right alongside men, often dominating the game with their agility and strategy.
Your Turn to Take the Plunge
Intrigued? You should be. And we want you to try it. All you need is a swimsuit and a willingness to learn. We’ll loan you the fins, mask, and snorkel, and our experienced players will provide all the training you need to get started.
But this year, it's even better.
The Blockade Runners have partnered with the Belgian Orca UWH Team to create a community outreach program right here in North Charleston. We are thrilled to announce a FREE Underwater Hockey Club for the youth of our community! It's a safe, limited-contact sport where kids and teens can build confidence with a snorkel, learn a unique skill, and have a blast. Of course, parents and guests are always encouraged to jump in and play, too!
See the Action Live and Support the Next Generation!
Words can only do so much. To truly understand the speed and excitement of underwater hockey, you have to see it for yourself. That’s why we’re inviting you to our biggest event of the year.
Join us for a fantastic afternoon of food, fun, and fundraising to support our new youth program. See live demonstrations, meet the players from the Charleston Blockade Runners, and find out what all the hoopla is about. Your support will help us provide pool time and equipment free of charge to the next generation of players.
The Main Event:
• What: Community Fundraiser & Opening Ceremony
• Where: North Charleston Aquatic Center (8610 Patriot Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29420)
• When: Saturday, August 16th, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Come for the food, stay for the fun, and discover the most exciting sport you’ve never seen. We can’t wait to meet you and share our passion for the game.
Want to learn more or get in the water sooner?
• Youth & Family Club (FREE!): Every Wednesday from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM at the North Charleston Aquatic Center. All ages welcome (under 10 with a guardian). facebook.con/norcauwh
• Charleston Blockade Runners Workouts: For a faster-paced experience, join the adult scrimmages. Check our web page for the latest schedule: www.charlestonuwh.com (http://www.charlestonuwh.com/)
• Stay Connected: Follow all the local action on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/norcauwh
We are incredibly grateful to the City of North Charleston and the amazing staff at the NCAC (North Charleston Aquatic Center) for their support in making this possible. See you on the 16th!--
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
North Charleston Aquatics, 8596 Patriot Pkwy, North Charleston, SC 29420-7415, United States
