SPORTS PROS' BEST BEACHES
Where do top athletes go on their downtime? Do they have any downtime? We can't answer these questions seeing as we categorise cutting up a steak a workout so we found eight bonafide sporting pro's who could do the job for us.
Olly Barkley, Rugby, fly-half for Bath and England.
White Haven Beach, Whit Sundays, Australia
I was 19 and had just signed my first professional contract on one condition – I could spend the next months traveling with friends; the big blow-out before I settled down to the discipline of a rugby career. Of all the beaches I saw in that time, White Haven will always stay with me. As cheesy as it sounds, it was just like a postcard – the most perfect white sand and the bluest horizon. I really couldn't believe how beautiful it was. I took five photos of it that day and each one is now on canvas, hanging on the walls of my living room – and reminder of that trip and that beach.
Chris Tomlinson, Long Jump, World Indoor and Outdoor European Medalist and British Indoor and Outdoor Record Holder
South Gare Beach, Teesside, England
Whenever I go home to Middlesbrough in the North East I go to South Gare, a stretch of beach close to better known Redcar. It sits in the shadows of Teesside's industrial skyline, and though a lot of people wouldn't find it beautiful, I think there's something so evocative and touching about it – as a local boy there is a lot of emotion attached to it. I train by running up and down the sand dunes and apart from people fishing on the pier or the odd dog walker, it's usually pretty empty. I love the peace and the feeling of being at home.
Dominic Waldouck, Rugby, Centre for London Wasps
Pacific Beach, San Diego, USA
Rugby takes up so much of my life that, even though I obviously love it, when I'm on holiday I try to clear my mind of it completely. Last year I was in San Diego with my brother and two mates. We'd taken an American football down for a throw around, and later would go out for some drinks with some guys who joined in, but my favourite part was between that when I was just lying back on the sand, looking up at a cloudless sky with rugby as far from my mind as it could be.
David Haye, Boxing, Former Heavyweight World Champion
Negril beach Jamaica
Though I lived on a beach in Northern Cyprus for more than two years, my favourite beach is the six-mile long stretch of Negril in Jamaica. I was there for the famous ATI (Absolute Temptation Isle) weekend and the place was one big party, pumping out reggae like a beach carnival. I spent all day listening to great music, sipping cocktails and soaking up the sun. Though that was a particularly crazy one, I tend to chill as much as possible when I hit the beach – my everyday life is hectic enough.
Alex Goode, Rugby, Full-Back for Saracens
Cancun, Mexico
I'd just arrived in Mexico when I got a phone call from the England team, asking if I could go training with them and I had to say, ‘Err, sorry, I'm in Cancun.” I had no idea they'd call when I flew out there, but I can't regret that holiday. Although all the students were down for US spring break, we stayed away from the main strip and my days were just spent chilling on the beach and paddling in perfect turquoise waters. I'd love to say that I didn't do any partying, but I'm young so I recover quicker! I just had to train extra hard when I got home the next week.
Thom Evans was a Scottish international rugby player when he suffered a career-ending neck injury in 2010. After making a phenomenal recovery he will be commentating on the forthcoming Rugby World Cup for ITV.
Val Do Lobo, Algarve, Portugal
I spent much of my childhood on Val Do Lobo. My parents' house is only five minute walk away from the beach, so growing up I would spend every other day down there. I'd wake up early in the morning and go running with my dad and my brother. It's an amazing sight – the sun rises up over the ocean and lights up the cliffs as you're running along them, the fresh sea breeze hits your face as you work up a sweat. Whenever I'm in that moment, I always say to myself there is nowhere else in the world I would rather be .
Sam Carne, Wakeboarding, Men's National Champion 2011
Putsborough, Croyde, Devon
Though obviously not the most exotic beach in the world, Putsborough has a huge calming effect on me. As my summer season of competition and traveling is coming to a close, I'll go, along with a couple of mates, and make a few surf missions there. I'm certainly not a skilled surfer and there's not always good surf to be had, but it's always so much fun. The weather is cooling down, the winter is closing in and it's the perfect beach to recuperate. Also, the cloudy cider there is amazing.
Jules Haley, Wakeboarding, Women's National Champion, 2011
Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA.
During the winter I spend a lot of time out in Orlando to train while it's too cold here in the UK. When I'm not busy out on the lake I love to head down to Cocoa beach for what is always a good time. There is this little beach side bar/restaurant called ‘Coconuts' which does amazing cocktails, and there is always a great crowd of young people there every weekend. It's fun to just go there, hang out and relax, play games and enjoy the sunshine.
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