Most people will at least assume that there is a swimming club in Langenfeld. The fact that you can also learn to dive there is something special. In fact, underwater rugby players also train in Langenfeld. The Wochen-Anzeiger was there at a very special tournament and looked around at the underwater athletes.
Charity tournament for the Sarcoidosis Network
At the beginning of February, Benedikt Meyer announced his resignation as an active underwater rugby athlete. “I have sarcoidosis, which makes it virtually impossible for me to actively participate in training and competition,” says the sports teacher. Benedikt Meyer started underwater rugby (UWR) in Langenfeld more than 20 years ago, which is why his charity tournament and subsequent celebration will take place on this day in the Langenfeld indoor swimming pool. “This is where it all started for me, this is where my sporting roots are.” Around 20 participants, male and female, lined up to hold a tournament outside of any rankings and to donate to the Sarcoidosis Network. “This is very important to me,” says Benedikt Meyer and describes the registered association as a support offer for sick people and their relatives in order to exchange ideas with each other and to promote further research.
Fast-paced game with special requirements
Langenfeld is the state’s performance base for underwater rugby. The performance base training takes place every second Sunday in the local swimming pool. This Sunday the athletes are using the time for the tournament.
Twelve athletes are on each team, six play, the other six are substitutes. A game lasts 2 x 15 minutes. The game is played under water, with two baskets on the bottom of the pool. The ball is weighted with salt water, so it will sink to the ground if not held. At best, it ended up in the opposing team’s basket. Two referees work underwater in diving equipment and communicate using fixed hand signals. A signal system sounds every time there is something to pay attention to. In fact, it honks every few moments. The players are face-underwater the entire time. When lying on their stomach, they can breathe through a very short snorkel. In order to get to the ball and, at best, place it in the opponent’s basket, you have to move further down. To where they can no longer breathe. So it’s a constant change between on the water and under the water. “A coaching wisdom is that the team that has the most players under water for the longest time wins,” explains state coach Klaus Dräger.
Viewed from the edge of the pool, the game is a lively and very fast affair. One can only imagine what happens underwater. “At major tournaments, we film underwater and stream it on-site on screens and of course online,” says Klaus Dräger. This Sunday Uli Könemann is in the water. She used to play herself, is an experienced diver and is now an underwater photographer.
Info:
Anyone interested in underwater sports is welcome to join the Langenfeld team.
The SV-Langenfeld UWR team trains three times a week for 45 minutes.
Further information can be found here:
www.sv-langenfeld.de/unterwasser-rugby
