SEATTLE - Imagine what would happen if an ice rink melted, but hockey teams competed beneath the surface.
That is, essentially, how underwater hockey is played. And Washington State is home to one of the best teams in the nation – the Seattle Seahammers.
"Unlike most sports, it's co-ed, and so everyone's at the same level because the water kind of equalizes everyone," said player Christina Jones. "We get people who are 8 years old and we get people who are 78 years old."
This version of hockey isn't much of a spectator sport, because it's almost impossible to know what's happening without a periscope. But the players don't crave big crowds.
"It's less obscure than it once was, but it's still pretty obscure," said Pat Carboneau, who's spent 30 years playing underwater hockey just for fun.
The water helps make players less prone to injury. They train new recruits all the time, and are looking for new ones right now.
"As long as you have a pool and a bunch of other people who are willing to do the same thing, it's pretty fun," Jones said.
