Pre-season draws Falcons to the water
Organised by Cullercoats Bike and Kayak, the squad were split into two groups, with each party led out into the North Sea in wetsuits and helmets.
Curtis Dunn, one of the company’s guides, explained: “They started off kayaking down in Cullercoats harbour, doing some paddling and some games, and from there we took them on a journey round to Browns Bay where they did some jumps off the rocks into the water.
“It’s a bit of a fun session more than anything too physical, just to get them working as a team and solving problems.
“A lot of people don’t get the chance to get out on the water like this so it’s a bit of an introduction to it, and it’s good for self-confidence in terms of pushing yourself to do things which are foreign to what you’re used to.
“It helps when it’s hot like this because people don’t mind falling into the nice cooling water, and it’s been fun having the lads down here.”
Kevin McShane, Newcastle Falcons’ head of athletic performance, said: “The lads have had a mixture of kayaking and coasteering, and it’s a chance to get them away from the gym and the rugby field during what is a really long pre-season this year.
“Keeping the squad mentally stimulated is really important as well as the nuts and bolts of your rugby and your strength and conditioning work, and it’s not just a case of simply flogging the boys for the whole summer.
“You get bored pretty easily if you’re in the same environment all the time doing similar things, and as well as a bit of a team bonding aspect it’s a great chance for some of the new boys to see a bit of the North East coastline.
“As pre-season goes on we’ll look to get the boys out and about for a couple of different activities, obviously in conjunction with the important training they’re doing on a daily basis at the club.”
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