Underwater X-Treme
Invented by 10-13-year olds California Aquatics: Alyssa Hansen, Amy Hansen, Brittany Carter, Josh Nordstrom, Kara Pedersen, Kaycee Johnson, Matt Johnston and Nicholas Johnsen
 

At the ages of 11 to 13, a group of eight middle school kids calling themselves the California Aquatics wanted a cool new pool toy. Tired of toy-less pool games like Marco Polo and noting a disappointing dearth of pool toys for older kids, they wanted to develop something fun and exciting for their age group. They also wanted their creation to be compact and not take up excess space in the garage – something that seemed to make parents cranky. The Aquatics’ creation, Underwater X-Treme, fits the bill perfectly. 

Underwater X-Treme (UX) is a small cylinder that can be used underwater that features sound and bright, blinking lights. The UX can be used to play games in the water or on land using light only, sound only, both, or neither. It is an amazingly versatile toy. The California Aquatics put together a kit that comes with one small UX and one, extra-large UXX. The UX is designed to clip onto your bathing suit or be tossed into the pool, while the larger UXX features multiple light patterns for more complicated group games.

The kit also includes a pair of cyan goggles that, without distorting the wearer’s vision in the pool, block the wearer’s vision of the red light of the UX unless they look directly at it. Underwater X-Treme also comes with a game book that features a variety of individual and group games, some which are variants of classic games using the UX (such as their “Red Light/No Light” version of Red Light/Green Light), as well as some unique new games. The California Aquatics’ pool creation is surefire, long-lasting fun for kids of all ages.

Tied for first place nationally in the Sally Ride Science TOY Challenge in June 2005.