The Namibia Underwater Federation was founded in 1975 and is the ruling body for all underwater sport in Namibia.

NUF is affiliated to CMAS the World Underwater Federation.

Currently four clubs/entities are affiliated to NUF, namely

1. •Windhoek Underwater Club
   

2. •Skeleton Coast Scuba Club
   

3. •Marlins Swim Club
   

4. •Otjikoto Diving Enterprises
   

SCUBA DIVING

There are two affiliated sport clubs in Namibia offering SCUBA training for recreational diving, namely the Windhoek Underwater Club (WUC) in Windhoek the capital of Namibia and the Skeleton Coast Scuba Club (SCSC) at the west coast of Namibia. As Namibia is a dry country, semi-desert and desert, it has very few dive sites. The cold Benguela current necessities a thick wet / dry suite suit.

As mentioned the ocean is cold and the visibility most of the time is below 3m.  There is not much to explore in the dams. The favourite dive site is Lake Otjikoto, a sink hole close to Tsumeb. This is a technical dive site classified as a cavern. When the Germans surrendered in Word War I they dumped all their weapons and ammunition into this lake, which is declared a Underwater Museum, of which NUF is the curator. There are also a few caves in Namibia with water, however these are of very high technical standard. For most of them you need specialised equipment, not to mention that up-sailing is necessary to get to the water.

UNDERWATER HOCKEY

This sport is gaining more and more popularity in Namibia. In April 2008 Namibia for the first time in its History participated in the Underwater Hockey Worlds Tournament held in Durban South Africa.

Namibia is preparing to participate in the next World Tournament.

For more information on Underwater Hockey contact the Windhoek Underwater Club.

MARINE ARCHAEOLOGY

The Namibia Underwater Federation would like to thank and honour some of its leading personalities and the continued appreciated support from the environmental and cultural organisation who play an important role in the upkeep and preservation of our Namibian Marine Archaeology History. NUF is also recognised by the Centre for Portuguese Nautical Studies.

A relationship has been in existence since 1990 between the National Heritage Council and the Namibia Underwater Federation. The Scientific Committee of the National Heritage Council has supported the valuable and important contribution of NUF towards the preservation and research of our National Heritage. On many occasions members of the Scientific Committee accompanied marine archaeology expeditions.

A good relationship exists between NUF and the National Museum. An agreement between the National Museum and the Marine Archaeology Section of the Windhoek Underwater Club was signed to the advantage of promoting research in the Marine Archaeology discipline.

A large contributor and supporter of all marine archaeology expeditions is the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Trough all the years they furnished NUF with permits and in addition delegated a staff member to lead the expedition into the specific area where shipwreck artefacts were being researched.

The Museum Association of Namibia (MAN), an organisation which has vastly assisted in the upliftment of Museums in Namibia and who fully supports the Marine Archaeology Section must be thanked for its professional and financial support.