In Deep Tennis and Fitness - Deverall Park Tennis Centre, Condell Park Bankstown

Boot Camp 2008 - Day 4 - and Christmas Party!

Day 4 started at 5am - we were all told that we were going to tow TJ's 4WD two laps around Centennial Park. We arrived to be harnessed up to the car and be prepared for an 8km journey. Unbeknown to the troops this was all a smokescreen as they had passed the Boot Camp test already. Just a few more mental hurdles to get over ;)

To TJ's and David's surprise, the athletes were not fazed by the thought of towing the car and were ready to roll. He made us tow the car about 500m and everyone was still going strong, when he hit the brakes and declared BOOTCAMP '08 has FINISHED! Everyone had passed with flying colours and TJ was heard saying over the dinner later that night that these tennis athletes were the best fighters he had seen in a very long time, and that is saying something.

I am personally so proud of all the team as they have revealed even bigger fighting spirits than I had previously thought. I am very excited to commence the third year of InDeep International as this will be the biggest  year without a shadow of a doubt.

All goals were achieved for Boot Camp 2008 and watch out for the Deepstars in 2009. We had a great Christmas dinner last night and celebrated with awards for all the athletes. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Boot Camp 2008 - Day 2 - by Vanessa

Day 2 was the first really mentally and physically tough and challenging day of InDeep Boot Camp 08. It all started off with a 3:23am wake up, and then a drive to what was supposedly 'Bondi'. When we arrived, it wasn't Bondi at all. It was dark, the waves were smashing against the rocks, and we were instructed to sit and face the front, no headlights or radio on. We sat there for about 15 minutes absolutely scared and anticipating and not knowing what was going on, our imaginations running wild on all the possibilities of what we were going to do.

Out of nowhere, comes a massive figure in a balaclava, and we all jump through the roof. T.J gets in the car, very seriously (and very scarily), and lays down the law:

• No swearing
• No whinging
• No talking back
• No saying "No"
• Backpacks not allowed to touch the ground
• No dropping the weights
• And no talking to T.J unless spoken to

Then one by one, we were taken off by T.J to be given a 'present'. Which was actually a 10 kg weight wrapped in a towel, with duct tape and lovely bit of tinsel to top it off. This was to go in our backpack. We also had two hand weight 'buddies that were never allowed to touch the ground for the whole day. 

First of all, we had to walk into the cold clovelly ocean up to our waist. This ensured that everything was wet and heavy before we started. Then we had to complete a penalty straight off as Steph hadn't bought the proper bag and was not prepared accordingly to TJ. This penalty included 2 hill runs, 40 push ups, sit ups and squats with bags on. Then we had to run 18kms to bondi and back.

During this we had many hill runs, stair runs, soft sand runs, shoulder presses and upper body activities. There was no sitting down at any point and we ate cold baked beans for breakfast standing up in waist high water. The last hour involved walking in the water fully clothed with hand weights and back packs on which added another 10kgs. Then we loaded all the equipment on to a surf rescue board and paddling out 300m at Gordon's Bay and across the finish line.

This was an amazing effort and everyone passed the 6hr endurance test thrown at them, even though a few beleived that they wouldn't be able to make it after the first hour. A huge mental accompliment was achieved all round and everyone feels very very proud of themselves. Stay tuned for: Sand Dunes!

Boot Camp 2008 - Day 1

Day 1: Abseiling in the Blue Mountains

The day started at 6am after a night slept out under the stars. Everyone was on edge in the drive up as no one had abseiled before so didn't know what to expect. After a breakfast of cold baked beans and plain vitawheats, we hit the bush for a 20 min walk and a lesson at a 25m drop.

Then after some salad we ventured off to 'Big Fella' - the 60m cliff face. After we arrived there was silence as everyone just looked down at far they really had to go. We won't mention any names but there were a few tears and screams.. but we all made it intact to the bottom... and were better athletes than what we were at the top. They even had the war paint to prove it!

Their confidence grew after another turn and a few songs were sung mid air as this was the challenge. We trekked back up, hands on helmets which was the rule from the strength coach and we managed to do the fall 3 times each.

They are all sleeping out under the stars again after a dinner of baked beans and vitawheats just to change it up a bit. They are now almost a whole 24 hours without a hot shower as well. Enjoy the photos and we will be back with another update tomorrow (which is a 4am start).

 

BOOT CAMP 2008

Indeep will be hosting it's first ever Boot Camp for it's full time players. The Camp will last four days and four nights where the athletes will be put through a mountain of physical and mental pain. The camp is designed to overcome fear, push through the perceived pain barrier and  team bonding. There is no doubt the camp will take the athletes to another level as no other tennis player in the country will be going through this type of regime. This will take their self belief and inner confidence to a whole new level. The strength/conditioning coach and tennis coach will also go through all activities with their players. Some of these include: abseiling down a cliff face of over 60 meters, sleeping under the stars, 4am starts, food rations, 6 hour endurance tests and too many more to mention

 Stay tuned for updates before Christmas...