A SLIGHTLY bizarre new sport is taking Ilfracombe youngsters by storm — and now they're looking to spread the word and push for new members further afield.

Ilfracombe Swimming Club plays host to the only junior Octopush Club in North Devon — and they're already playing on a national level.

The fast-paced underwater hockey game is played by two teams of 10 (six in the water and four subs) competing over a puck known as a squid at the bottom of a swimming pool, normally 2-3m deep.

Coach and manager Peter Martin explains: "The aim is to push or flick the puck into the opponent's goal, known as a gully.

"This is achieved by the players duck diving to the bottom of the pool wearing mask, snorkel and fins to aid in their swimming and manoeuvre the puck with their pusher, which is a short stick, about 35cm long, by pushing it along, or flicking it."

He added: "Teamwork is essential in this game, as you will require other players to help you move the puck forward up the pitch, especially when you come up against the opposition.

"After all you can only keep a hold of the puck as long as you can hold your breath!"

He said communication can be tricky when you have a snorkel in your mouth — but players still manage to get their message across.

"Being underwater adds a different dimension. You can use the depth of the field to your advantage by diving under someone to get past or just going over them and appearing on the other side of them."

Octopush was founded in 1954 in the south of England by a diver who invented it to keep the members of the new diving club together over the winter while it was too cold to dive in the sea.

The sport has been growing worldwide ever since with World Championships being hosted every two years and now up to 44 teams entering.

At Ilfracombe the club is looking for new members aged 10 to 14 who have a minimum swimming ability of 100m. They will also need mask, snorkel and flippers.

Peter said: "We are looking to have an under 13's team and an under 16's team. Eventually we hope to expand to have an under 18's team as our members get older.

"Also when we get more adult helpers we hope to take on members at the age of nine and have an under 11's team.

"This is a fun sport. Our first aim is to teach members to play so we can enjoy playing a game each week.

"Our second aim is to organise friendly competitions for those who reach the standard and would like to enter competitions. Our first priority is always to have fun and enjoy our sport.

"The first half of the year's competitions are taken up with regional and national competitions. In the second half of the year it is more around friendly competitions."

Teaching sessions are on Friday evenings between 6pm and 7pm at Ilfracombe Swimming Pool. The first session is free and will then cost £2.50 per week.

Anyone interested in joining the club can contact Peter on 01271-864048 or 07581-841105.