Punta Gorda heat hits triple digits but locals still hit the courts

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK)—Temperatures are reaching the upper 90s with feel-like temps in the triple digits, but some people aren't letting that deter them from a day at the park.

Whether at the pickleball court or playground, the heat cannot be ignored.

"Hot is hot, all right. It could be 120 or 130 (degrees). It's still hot," said Neil Evans, a pickleball player.

On one of the hottest days of the summer in Punta Gorda, pickleball is still in full swing. Ron Fiedel meets up with friends almost every day at Gilchrist Park, but on days like this, he's extra creative with finding ways to stay cool.

"My hat shades my neck. I have an insert that's ice that stays really well. And then we bring our fans, gotta have the fans, goes up the shirt in between, pulls all the sweat off," Fiedel said.

With temperatures on the courts approaching 150 degrees, mandatory breaks are necessary to avoid trips to the hospital. Fiedel learned this lesson the hard way about a month ago.

"I do drink a lot of electrolytes, obviously with salt and potassium in it, and obviously a lot of water, but funnily enough, I did go the emergency room about a month ago when I was playing here, so maybe I'm not the best person to be saying come play in the middle of the day, but I did play like five or six hours that day, so had to go get some IVs," he said.

There is a playground right next to the pickleball courts. Some of the kids said that although they enjoy playing outside, they're cautious with certain equipment that's hot to the touch.

"It makes it like it burns your hands so hard that you almost like feel like you're gonna scream," said Jace and Giovanni, kids at the playground.

While the kids pushed through for this dangerously hot summer day, they said they're looking forward to jumping in the pool later. 

Water and breaks in the shade are an absolute must on days like this.