Roots running deep
UWR is an acronym for underwater rugby. It’s a sport you probably never heard of before, even though it’s been around since 61. Or a lot longer, if you compare the very roots of water polo to underwater rugby. Let it be from England or Germany, Cologne, UWR is a very European sport. The top is German, Scandinavian and… Colombian?
Viral
It’s quite an underground sport too…
You mean underwater, right?
What I mean is that despite the similarities with polo, UWR is not governed by FINA, therefore lacking major state or sponsor support. The sport spread across the globe carried by people, fueled by passion.
Hidden in free space
One reason UWR remained a cult for so long is that in order to provide players the freedom of movement in 3 dimensions, it is played in diving pools. The goals are around 4m depth and the ball is filled and heavy. Till sportcams and youtube came around, the world could see nothing but bubbles from the surface.
Innate complexity
The rules are simple, play fair and attack opponents only if they are in possession of the ball. Also, don’t grab the goals. What makes the game complex is that it’s played with a freediving gear, so not only you have to consider positioning in cca. 800 m3 “arenas” but take breath-holding into account as well.
Intense but safe
We wear fins so the game is fast-paced. A huge advantage of playing in the water is that it absorbs impacts. Injuries are rare, and two underwater and a deck referee make sure that the rules are kept.
Team Fortress meets Quidditch
Players tend to differ a lot in their physical attributives and playing style. A key component of a team’s success is finding the most suiting positions for people (defense, attack or goalkeeping) and creating fluent, effortless teamplay.