How to beat the Heat

[Majik]

I have a State championship to play in a few weeks. And I'm finding the indoor heat unbarable. What can I do to beat the heat? Is it USTA legal to wear an ICY HOT patch at least for as long as it's cold?

[athiker]

Bring an extra bottle of ice water and pour a little cold water on the back of your head, neck and down your back...chills me down quick. Since you are indoors just make sure you do it in an inconspicuous place where no one will be steping in or slipping on any of the spilled water...or bring an extra towel too to wipe it up...it won't be much water...but might get a little on the ground.

Good luck.

[RogerRacket111]

Have a towel with ice inside and put in on your neck between change overs. Hydrate well in advance of your match.

[justinmadison]

I played quite a bit outside in Dallas. My favorite trick was to bring a cooler with small pieces of ice and put several of them under my hat each change over. It really helps a lot when it is 105 degrees.

[catfish]

Get a Frog Tog Chilly Pad. It's sort of a towel that stays wet and cool. I played in 105 heat recently, and my Frog Tog helped. I put it on my head or hung it on my neck and shoulders on changeovers. You can get them at Dicks Sports, or probably other sports stores.

http://www.froggtoggsraingear.com/ChillyPads.shtm

[Angle Queen]

Originally Posted by catfish

Get a Frog Tog Chilly Pad.

Ditto. I got one as a Christmas gift from my sister...who I thought normally just falls for these TV infomercial things.

But it works.

Really works.

I busted it out of its package this summer (we've already had 16 days of 100F+ temps). I keep it in the ice water of my small/on-court cooler. Put it over your head or on the back of your neck at changeovers...and you can just feel your body temp drop. Just remember there are two different sides/surfaces. One is more absorbent and better for wiping off sweat; the other "bumpy" side is supposed to be better at cooling...but that's one claim I can't confirm. The whole thing feels darn good when it's darn hot.

The other thing I can't emphasize enough is to hydrate before you step on the court.

Condition yourself well. Know your limits. And know the signs of dehydration.

Our team is lucky. One teammate's husband is a GP...and came to Districts with IVs (and a whole host of other goodies in his black bag). Luckily, he didn't have to use them on us...but did assist the on-site trainer in convincing a severely cramping player (from another team) to head for the hospital in an ambulance. Nothing will make you drink more water during a changeover than hearing those sirens wale away, taking away one of your own.

Stay cool!

[NoSkillzAndy]

If the heat is really unbearable, an ice-filled bandanna tied around your neck will keep you cool even while you play. Replace the ice on change-overs as needed. It's low tech and effective

FroggToggs rock! http://www.froggtoggs.com/#cooling/
They even make a bandana (Chilly Dana) you can wear while playing.
Its been 104+ everyday here in Texas and FroggToggs makes playing in the heat much more bearable.
All of our student athletes swear by them.

Cheers!

[Limpinhitter]

Indoor temps are unbearable? Did you mean outdoor? Anyway, if out door, wear a white cap with good ventilation. In either event, drench a handkerchief in cold water and tie it around your neck, ala Rosewall.

[Angle Queen]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

Indoor temps are unbearable?

Could be. Our four indoors courts don't have A/C...just some fans that are obnoxiously loud. Two nights ago, we were inside (because of evening thunderstorms) and the EMTs had to show up and take someone from another court to the hospital with possible heat exhaustion/stroke. The heat and humidity are no joke.

As hot as it's been outside...there's sometimes...a breeze.

[Annika]

I'm in South Carolina and we play thru the summer. I like that froggtogg idea. I wonder how long it stays cold though?

[Panic492]

I am playing in a tournament this weekend-singles and doubles (in SC). If all goes well (or badly), I could be playing matches @ 8, 10:30, 12 and 3:30 Friday. I bought the Chilly Pads, Carb bars all sorts of stuff to try to stay out of the hospital.

Originally Posted by Annika

I'm in South Carolina and we play thru the summer. I like that froggtogg idea. I wonder how long it stays cold though?

Even here in the triple digit Texas heat, mine stays cold for an hour (give or take). Just re-wet it and it gets cold again. Its fantastic because its stays dry to the touch.
http://www.froggtoggs.com/#cooling/

[813wilson]

Freeze a bottle of water - maybe in a "rubbermaid" type container. Like others have said, hold it at the base of your neck in change overs AND try this; press it against the inside portion of your wrist. Your veins are closest to your skin surface there. As such, your blood flow will cool down faster there. Wear the lightest clothes, color and weight, you have.

[Steve Huff]

Angle Queen, you don't belong to Burkwood do you? You describe our indoor courts perfectly.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by Angle Queen

Could be. Our four indoors courts don't have A/C...just some fans that are obnoxiously loud. Two nights ago, we were inside (because of evening thunderstorms) and the EMTs had to show up and take someone from another court to the hospital with possible heat exhaustion/stroke. The heat and humidity are no joke.

As hot as it's been outside...there's sometimes...a breeze.

To me, playing in direct sun, at noon, in August, where the surface tempuratures are over 130, is hot. Before 10AM and after 4PM is a whole different thing.

[JRstriker12]

Originally Posted by Majik

I have a State championship to play in a few weeks. And I'm finding the indoor heat unbarable. What can I do to beat the heat? Is it USTA legal to wear an ICY HOT patch at least for as long as it's cold?

Is this OP for real or 6 years old?

Icy Hot is not a product for use when it's hot. It does not actually make you cooler.

If I was really cruel, I would have said it's only legal to apply Icy Hot to your underwear/compression shorts

[beernutz]

Originally Posted by RogerRacket111

Have a towel with ice inside and put in on your neck between change overs. Hydrate well in advance of your match.

BINGO! Camel up baby!

[beernutz]

Originally Posted by saigonbond

FroggToggs rock! http://www.froggtoggs.com/#cooling/
They even make a bandana (Chilly Dana) you can wear while playing.
Its been 104+ everyday here in Texas and FroggToggs makes playing in the heat much more bearable.
All of our student athletes swear by them.

Cheers!

All the Chilly Pad and Chilly Dana colors show as Currently Out of Stock on their website. I guess I'm actually going to have to leave the house to try one.

Originally Posted by beernutz

All the Chilly Pad and Chilly Dana colors show as Currently Out of Stock on their website. I guess I'm actually going to have to leave the house to try one.

Amazon, D i c k' s Sports, Golfs m i t h, Cabela's all sell them... probably even e B a y.