Gone are the days of kicking back after a game with a few beers and whatever is left over from the canteen.

Rehabilitation and recovery have become vitally important aspects of a modern day player’s weekly routine.

In order to recover fully from games we spend time re-hydrating (by drinking water and Powerade), stretching, walking, swimming and hopping in ice baths.

Much of what we do is based on scientific studies that show which activities assist recovery the most.

However, there is one part of our recovery sessions that is not based on any study at all (although it might lead to one).

This element of recovery is where science goes out the window and where the week’s biggest debate starts.

It is… which beach should we go to!?

Many of our recovery activities can be performed at the beach, hence we head there for most recovery sessions.

Adelaide is lucky enough to have a great stretch of beaches so close to the city and even closer to our training.

We are generally given three options - Glenelg, Grange or Semaphore.

Players get to vote on where they would prefer to go, throwing up many different pros and cons.

Most vote for the beach closest to their homes so they can get home earlier, others like the visual attractions of Glenelg, especially on nice days, but they’re not the only factors. The cleanliness of the water, the number of crabs, parking spaces and coffee shops are all aspects in the final decision.

This week our recovery came down to the wire with both Glenelg and Semaphore sharing the votes. The only way we could sort it out was the old rock, paper, scissors.

It was the Cornes’ brothers that battled it out representing their beaches. Kane was on Semaphore, Chad his old favourite, Glenelg.

After a couple of tied results, Kane went with his trusty scissors and was smashed by Chad’s rock and the team was off to Glenelg.

At the moment the sun is out and the boys are all keen to head to the beach. In the middle of June, when things are a bit cooler, you can bet that all votes will be to stay at Alberton and use the inside pool. After all you would not want to catch a cold!

mahns