FC Edmonton’s recent training camp excursion looked like this.
Now, picture the exact opposite.
After a Sunday morning session, breakfast and one final swim in the ocean, Pacific FC wrapped up its four-day retreat to Tofino.
Club officials ran the team’s first “training camp” in the small, picturesque surfing community on Vancouver Island over the weekend, bringing together the club’s first team and technical staff for a mixture of fitness and team bonding exercises.
“I think it was an excellent weekend,” said Pacific FC head coach Michael Silberbauer. “I think the setting up here in Tofino was really something special and I thought we put in some good work. Not only with our feet and legs, but also with our heads, so I’m very happy with the outcome.”
Director of sports science Randy Celebrini led the team through hour-long morning sessions despite the cold temperatures. Select players and staff even braved the frigid waters of Mackenzie Beach following morning activations.
Celebrini — a resident of Tofino — put the club’s fitness levels to the test with outdoor activities that included trail and hill runs.
Each team meal was catered by a chef from California. Owners Josh Simpson and Rob Friend also made the trip up-island to partake in the team-building weekend.
“The whole meaning of this camp was that players received an opportunity to get to know one another and get to know their coaches a little bit better,” Silberbauer added. “I definitely feel that we did that, but there is still work to do.”
Afternoons consisted of daily sessions on the beach that included runs, soccer tennis and small-sided beach soccer. Pacific shared numerous photos and videos over the weekend, showing players doing everything from walking the beach to playing outdoor chess.
They return to the pitch in Victoria this week to continue training sessions ahead of next month’s pre-season trip to the Dominican Republic.
Training camp wraps up in Tofino today! It’s been an amazing few days as the team comes together. ?#ForTheIsle #PacificFC #CanPL ?: @GrupoMEDIAPRO pic.twitter.com/IbwaF3zd70
— Pacific FC (@Pacificfccpl) March 10, 2019