Port Adelaide defender Jacob Surjan says his team-mates have gained added strength and belief after finding new limits during their pre-season camp in New Zealand.
Surjan was a member of the winning team ‘The Hoff Squad’, led by Justin Westhoff and also including Robbie Gray, Nick Salter and Jarrad Redden.
“It was pretty tough, pretty gruelling,” Surjan told portadelaidefc.com.au.
It was mentally and physically tough on mind and body, but we got through it pretty well.”
The players had been divided into seven groups for three days of exhausting adventure around Mt Peel, south-west of Christchurch.
The expedition began on Tuesday with an epic hike up and down Big Mt Peel, with some groups taking more than 11 hours to return to camp.
Wednesday has been described as the hardest day, involving a 50+ kilometre mountain bike trek amid the region’s spectacular peaks.
The “fun” came on Thursday with a whitewater rafting mission, that began with a cliff-top plunge into the raging Rangitata River.
“Surj” says every player in the group considers it the toughest three days they’ve experienced, but they all believe it has given them extra mental strength.
“We learnt that not matter how tough things are you can push your body to the limits and still give that little bit extra,” Surjan said.
“It was a really hard slog at times, but we learned that with strong will and by working well with your mates you can achieve so much and build camaraderie and great bonds as well.”
Surjan said the seemingly endless peaks in the South Island high country made the hiking and bike riding - and pushing - especially hard. But he said conquering them has instilled a belief that will last and help the players in game situations.
“When you think you’re finished and can’t do any more and then you see another hill and you just have to do it, it’s amazing what you can achieve together. And we did that over 7 hills.
“You can been feeling like you’re about to keel over, but we found that as long as you stay positive and keep working together you can push through. That’s definitely what we learnt together.”
Despite losing group captain Westhoff overboard, ‘The Hoff Squad’ triumphed on the final day, tackling the torrents of the Rangitata.
“The rafting was awesome, but it was tough because not a lot of the guys had done rafting before,” Surjan said.
“But we got a count going to keep the rhythm with our paddling and that way we kept up our power and speed.
“We lost ‘Westy’ at one point, but we were all in good hands and it was fine.
“The rapids were unbelievable. It’s something everybody should try once and I can’t wait to do it again.”
The playing group returns to more traditional pre-season next week.
