During the summer, some students might not have summer jobs or anything to do. Thankfully, there are many sports that you can play this summer along with ways to stay safe while playing in the Arizona heat. Make sure you stay active and safe this summer with these tips!

• Swimming
  • Swimming is probably one of the best sports to do in the summer. There’s nothing like cool water to help you cool off after being in the scorching heat.
• Tennis
  • Tennis is a great workout in the summer. If there are indoor courts around, you can have a great workout without being in the sun. If you find a court outside, it’s a great way to get a tan!
• Baseball/Softball
  • Baseball and softball are great sports to play outside during the summer. They are not only fun, but they are also great for working out.
• Handball
  • Another great sport to play is handball. This sport is a cross between basketball and soccer and you can play it on any soccer field you find.
• Soccer
  • Soccer is a great sport if you want to get outside this summer. This is a high-cardio, high-energy game which can be played with your friends.
• Biking
  • Riding your bike around on trails or throughout your neighborhood is a great way to get exercise throughout the summer. You can even go mountain biking up on Mount Lemmon if you want cooler weather.
• Football
  • Football is a great sport to play during the summer. The football team is even practicing this summer! This sport can be played with friends and is always fun.
• Disc Golf/Golf
  • These are two separate sports with similar names! Disc golf combines frisbee with golf and it’s a great sport to play in the summer if you want to take it easy. Golf is also a great sport to play in the summer especially if you want to get outside. If you aren’t a great golfer, mini golf is perfect especially if you want to go with friends.
• Surfing
  • Are you going somewhere with tons of water this summer? Try surfing or other water sports! Surfing in Hawaii can give you a crazy tan and it’s a great workout. While you’re on vacation, some surfing lessons would be useful to keep active.
• Rock climbing
  • Rock climbing is a great way to stay active especially if you are adventurous and aren’t afraid of heights. Rock Solid is a great place to go because it’s inside and it’s not as hot. You can find classes inside and outside for this exciting sport.
• Kayaking/Canoeing
  • These sports are great for when you are in an area with rivers and lakes. This is also an adventurous sport but can also be calm and relaxing depending on where you are and how the waters are.
• Volleyball
  • Volleyball is a great sport to do this summer because it’s active and tons of people can play! Beach volleyball is an alternative to regular volleyball but it’s also great exercise. The great thing about this sport is that you can play with your friends and it can be played for however long you want!
• Archery
  • Archery is a very fun sport that is relaxing if you don’t want to do anything too active. It only requires arm muscle and attention and is fun to do with friends! Oro Valley offers archery lessons throughout the summer at Naranja Park.

Now that you have many options to choose from for sports this summer, here’s how to stay safe while playing these sports.

• Stay hydrated
  • Water is super important during the summer, otherwise, you could become dehydrated and pass out from the heat. Putting ice in your water (or other cold drinks like lemonade or soda) always helps. Treats like popsicles, ice cream, and Eegees taste great and can keep you hydrated while playing sports.
• Protect yourself
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, lightweight, light-colored clothing, and hats are all great things to wear to protect yourself from the sun. Sunscreen, depending on what type you have, needs to be reapplied regularly especially if you’re in the sun a lot. Other protective clothing is recommended to shade yourself so you don’t get burnt by the sun.
• Stay cool
  • If you want to go outside, the coolest parts of the day, the evenings and the mornings, are the best times. During the hot parts of the day, make sure to protect yourself from the sun as best you can. Drink plenty of water and have lots of fruits and drinks that keep you cool.