[caption id="attachment_13199" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Tips for playing padel in summer[/caption]

10 tips for playing padel in summer

Summer is here and for true fans of this sport, the idea of giving up padel due to intense heat or high temperatures is unthinkable. That's why we offer you 10 tips for playing padel this summer and not dying in the attempt. Of course, it is essential to stay well hydrated while playing padel and protect yourself from the sun.

1- Avoid peak hours for playing padel

The peak hours when the sun is strongest are from 12:00 PM to 6:30 PM. During these hours, the intensity required for any sport is higher, but in padel, it's even worse, as it is played on a court with glass walls, which means poor ventilation.

2- Stay well hydrated

Hydration, as we emphasized at the beginning, is very important, regardless of the time you are playing. You should drink water or isotonic drinks to keep your cells well hydrated and with enough minerals. This way, you can face the match without suffering any heat stroke. It is advisable to drink water between games and an isotonic drink during and after exercise.

3- Indoor or outdoor court

Nowadays, the evolution of indoor clubs has been remarkable in many cities and provinces. Therefore, many people prefer indoor over outdoor clubs, with their advantages and disadvantages: Indoor: the club's temperature rises due to a greenhouse effect when mostly enclosed; however, it is more effective because the sun does not reflect, and we avoid sunburn from its rays. Outdoor: ventilation is an important point, but if we decide to play outdoors, we must consider the time of day. During the hours when the sun is strongest, it is necessary to use high-protection sunscreen. It is recommended to reapply as often as necessary.

4- Proper padel nutrition

Proper nutrition is essential for your padel matches. It is advisable to consume pasta, vegetables, meat, etc., as these foods have high energy and protein value (in a fair amount). Depending on the time of the match, you can also eat fruit, such as bananas.

5- Appropriate use of padel clothing

It is very important to wear appropriate sportswear because sweat increases with heat. We recommend bringing several outfits so as not to play the entire padel match with a soaked shirt, allowing the skin to breathe, improving mobility, and reducing the sensation of heat.

6- Use breathable padel shoes

Breathability should not only be present in your shirt or pants. Currently, these technologies can also be found in padel shoes, which are made with breathable materials such as mesh and perforated fabrics. This way, your feet will also stay cool during the hottest match days. This not only improves the player's comfort but also helps prevent feet from slipping inside the footwear.

7- Purchase padel bags with heat protection

This tip is not directly related to playing but to the integrity of your padel equipment. High temperatures can affect padel rackets, and this is something many people don't know. Therefore, it is recommended to buy padel bags or backpacks that feature technologies to protect the interior. The most common type of technology is thermal materials, which are present in many padel bags on the market. Thanks to this, rackets are kept at a safe temperature, as long as they are stored inside the padel bag.  

8- Light-colored apparel

It is advisable that your clothing or game attire be light-colored because, as we know, the sun affects you more if you wear colors like black, navy blue, etc. We will save those dark garments for winter.

9- Use padel caps and sunglasses

Wearing a cap during this time of year is crucial, although some people only use it for aesthetic reasons. However, in summer, it's ideal to avoid continuous sun exposure during the match. The perfect complement to caps is sunglasses; this prevents direct contact with the sun from being uncomfortable and harmful. With sunglasses, players can concentrate fully on the game, as the sun's rays do not interfere with their vision.

10- Use grip spray on padel rackets

This tip is very useful during the hottest seasons of the year. The Dry Grip Spray is an aerosol that is sprayed directly onto the hands to keep them dry during the match. Its purpose is to prevent the racket from slipping due to excessive sweat in the palms of the hands.