Underwater Football is a team sport which is played in a swimming pool. The sport is played between two teams with 13 players on each side. During the matches, the players wear snorkelling equipment along with mask, snorkel and fins.
The ball used in the matches doesn't float on the surface as it should be negatively buoyant. According to earlier reports, the sport was developed in the University of Manitoba in the 1960s.
Usually, the sport is regarded as a club based activity. Underwater football is widely played in various Canadian places such as Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Labrador etc.
Objective
The major objective of the game is to score maximum points by striking the ball in the opposing team's net. The players who will completely submerge inside the water can hold the playing ball and aim it inside the goal. The ball is made of toy rubber torpedo, and the goals are built by downwards weighing buckets.
History of Underwater Football
Underwater football originated in the 1960s by a diving instructor named Dave Murdoch. The sport is widely played in Canada. In 1967, the first Manitoba underwater football sport was played. Initially, the sport was developed as a part of a keep-away training programme. In 1986, the major underwater football events were played in St. John's. Later in 1984, the Calgary tournament was organized.
