In summer, structured athletics take a ten week break

Danny Breslauer

It’s a typical late July day in Highland Park and the temperature has climbed into the mid-90s. Any sane person would simply stay in an air-conditioned house, relax and drink water all day -- but people who love sports don’t always use common sense when their favorite games are involved.

For the young, summer is a time for making money, relaxing, and sports. Whether it’s day trips, working a summer job, catching up on chores, or joining a sports league/club, something to do daily makes each summer more memorable than the last. Get out to the pool and catch some rays . . . break out the baseball glove and take some infield-outfield . . . . bring a basketball down to the park for a shoot-around.

People always ask me why I pack each and every summer with activities, mostly sports-related. It’s pretty simple, really – if you have a passion for something (and I know that plenty of people in Highland Park are obsessed with sports to some degree), tie your activities to this common theme and your busy days will never feel like work.

But hot weather is one part of summer that I’m not crazy about. Don’t get me wrong, a breezy 80-degree day is one thing; but when New Jersey serves up 100-degree heat indexes under insanely high humidity, it’s hard to force yourself to stay active. Here are a few simple ways to beat the heat and still feel accomplished on those days when you just don’t want to leave your couch.

Swimming is always a great time and water is as good as it gets when it comes to escaping the stickiness of summer temperatures. The University Swim Club off River Road, and Metuchen community pool near Lake Street are always packed throughout the season.

Play some Frisbee. You don’t see this on ESPN, but when I first watched a Frisbee tournament I became immediately hooked. The sport is blossoming, has garnered time on the airwaves on CBS SN (formerly CSTV), and has produced some serious athletes from Highland Park. “Just” running, jumping and throwing may sound simple, but it’s an unbelievable workout. Keep some spray fans on the sideline and get an instant cool-down after playing an intense game in Donaldson.

Drink lots of water before and during workouts, and follow up practice with some Gatorade or an energy shake. Before you can play at your highest level, you have to protect your body from the rigors of training camp’s heat and water is a great way to start.

Running and walking regularly is still important even for non-athletes. If you stay healthy on a cardio level, keeping your energy up on a hot day will be that much easier.

Take it from a former soccer player, turned couch potato -- that morning when you step outside and think about staying in your pajamas, call up some friends and get something planned. Of course, still have fun, hang out with friends and get to Point Pleasant a couple times. Sports addicts don’t like having downtime, no matter which season is in full swing.