It is an idea that coach Barry Mallon picked up from the All Blacks and has applied to the school hockey team for the past four years.
The Christchurch school dominated the Rankin Cup in the early years of the century but has fallen down the rankings over recent years.
It wants to get back to the top and win the Rankin Cup again and the coach is always looking for methods to get a jump on the other sides.
"We do it after games to reduce the lactic acid in the legs and aid our recovery," Mallon said.
"It gives us more stamina."
It was important yesterday because St Andrews College had two games and needed the spa treatment for recovery after the morning game.
It was not easy to find a place in Dunedin to use the recovery technique.
After unsuccessfully looking around Dunedin's facilities, Mallon telephoned a local spa shop.
Southern Spas and Pools in Orari St agreed to help out the team and for the last few days 15 hockey players have taken over the showroom and the new spas to complete the all important hot and cold training.
The boys sit in the hot pool for a minute and then immediately go into the cold pool for the same time.
The cycle is repeated a few times.
"The boys don't like the cold pools. It takes their breath away," Mallon said.
"But they don't mind the hot pool."
The temperature in the hot pool at Southern Spas and Pools is 38.5degC and the cold pool is 14degC.
St Andrews College lost to Christchurch Boys 4-0 and Hamilton Boys 7-1 yesterday.
