San Diego, Calif. (Ski Press)-What might seem like another day in the sun to some is actually an intense week of training for the moguls skiers of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. The Team started its off-season strength and conditioning program on the beaches near the Olympic Training Center outside San Diego.

"We just wanted to get everyone out of the mountain environment and put them in a different situation than what they're usually in," said Moguls Head Coach Scott Rawles.

Olympians Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA), Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT) and Michelle Roark (Denver) along with World Cup performers Emiko Torito (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Dave DiGravio (Farmington, ME) welcomed the new challenge.

"I think it's a good way to start off the training season. It's good for your body to feel the different stresses and it's a nice change from riding the bike and running the track," DiGravio said.

According to Rawles the athletes have been ocean training, which includes sprinting on the beach, running in the ocean, running with surfboards or other people attached to one's body piggy-back style, and surfing. Rawles believes the training will help athletes to not only build strength, but also to adapt to different environments and conditions when competing.

"In a lot of ways, what we're doing is similar to skiing as on the hill we deal with timing, balance and vision [looking ahead down the course]. There's a lot of things that cross over," Rawles said. "I think everyone is really enjoying the fact that we're doing something completely different."

Bahrke's Back

After missing the 2008 season due to a knee injury, Olympic silver medalist Bahrke was back and gearing up for the 2009 competition season with her teammates.

"I missed the team. They're such a great group and I feel like they have such great energy and it's really great to be back with everyone," Bahrke said. "It's nice to have a team behind me and everyone working together."

Bahrke, who has spent a majority of her time rehabbing in the gym, was thankful for the change of pace on the beach.

"It was hard, but after spending so much time in the gym, it was really nice to get out there and be in the elements again. We all pulled together and had a really good time."