18th December 2009 01:08PM

The sun was shining, the sea was sparkling and the Chiefs were sweating!

Yesterday the 2010 Chiefs squad, plus Wider Training Group players, travelled to Mount Maunganui for a change of scene in their pre-season fitness programme.

The Chiefs, under the direction of head trainer Phil Healey, started the day with an intense gym circuit, and then they had to run around the streets at the base of the Mount before their big challenge of the day - the Mount Maunganui climb.

Amongst the tourists, the locals and the holiday makers who were leisurely were making their way up the Mount yesterday, the Chiefs had a tougher time getting to the top.

In teams of eight the players had to carry up to the Mount's summit a 30kg power bag, water supplies, and a stretcher carrying a player from their team. Just when you thought it would be a good idea to put the lightest player on the stretcher, this was not an option, with the instructions being that a different player had to lie in the stretcher every three minutes.

The Chiefs looked strong and fit as they took up the challenge. It was an elated, but tired, Chiefs group that got to the top of the Mount to enjoy some great scenery on a perfect Bay of Plenty day.

After the climb the Chiefs descended and based themselves at the Mount Maunganui Surf Club to enjoy a hearty lunch and replenish fluids.

Then Healey's last tasks of the day included water activities with the help of some local lifeguards.

The Chiefs had to swim in relays out to a buoy in the Mount Maunganui surf. Then the real challenge came when the guys had to take out inflatable rescue boats, minus the motors, and paddle them out and back.

Many Chiefs certainly had to put their balancing skills into action as the boats seemed to have minds of their own in the surf.

The Chiefs squad continues their pre-season fitness schedule until 23 December, and then they re-group on 7 January, 2010.

Check out the Photo Gallery for more photos of the Chiefs at the Mount.