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Yes, Seattle Has an Underwater Hockey Team
Seattle’s underwater hockey team heads to nationals
By Seattle Mag June 4, 2014
This article originally appeared in the June 2014 issue of Seattle magazine.
!–paging_filter–pSeattle is known for its rabidly loyal fans—we love our Seahawks, Sounders, Storm and even the troubled Mariners—but there’s one local team that has yet to gain a vocal following: the Seahammers. The lack of team scarves, 12th men and bobbleheads is likely due to the fact that the Seahammers are hard to see. Seattle’s underwater hockey team, founded in 1988 by Western Washington University grad Patrick Carboneau, plays at the bottom of a swimming pool, the athletes only surfacing briefly to grab a breath. Also known as octopush, this coed, limited-contact sport has been around since the 1950s (with competitive teams in the U.K., Australia, Canada, South Africa and the U.S.), and follows the same basic rules of ice hockey, played underwater, with snorkels, swim masks, fins and a short stick used to push the puck. Always looking for new members (massive lung power a plus), the Seahammers are hoping to increase their name recognition and fan base—they practice at the Seattle University pool, and welcome “spectators” (although it involves signing a waiver in advance at the front desk). Last year the team placed seventh at the National Underwater Hockey Tournament and this month returns to nationals (June 27–29 in Minneapolis), among a watery field of about 24 teams. So if you happen to be in the area, consider devising a Seahammer costume and cheering those splashes on thenbsp;surface. a href=”http://www.seattleuwh.com” target=”_blank”seattleuwh.com/a/p
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Book Excerpt: Old White Man Writing
Seattle resident Joshua Gidding examines his own white privilege
In his book, Old White Man Writing, Seattle resident Joshua Gidding attempts to come to terms with his privilege. Gidding grapples with the rapidly changing cultural norms in 21st-century America while examining his own racial biases and prejudices. As Manhattan Book Review notes: “Old White Man Writing is an introspective deep dive into an eventful life…
Glacial Expressions
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The divide between the arts and sciences is long-fostered and well-documented. From elementary school onward, children are often singled out for their penchant for math or artistic ability and guided toward classes — and later careers — that align with their right or left brain tendencies. For Jill Pelto — a local climate scientist, painter,…
How Taproot Theatre Survived A Financial Crisis
Theatre is planning for its 50th birthday next year
Karen Lund vividly remembers that sinking feeling she had in the fall of 2023. That was when Lund, producing artistic director of Taproot Theatre Co., first realized that the financially strapped, midsized professional theatre in the Greenwood neighborhood might not survive. The theatre had already weathered the worst of the pandemic, but costs were mounting….
Humanities Washington Fights ‘Midnight’ Cuts
Nonprofit loses previously approved federal grants with little warning
The letter came without warning, like a slap in the face from an invisible hand. Humanities Washington CEO and Executive Director Julie Ziegler had already been talking with peers in other states, and she readied herself for the blow. The National Endowment for the Humanities (think DOGE) had terminated her nonprofit’s previously awarded federal grant…