By Doug Morin
Executive Director– CV Volunteers in Medicine, Indio, CA
Well, the heat of summer has finally moved across North America and we no longer have to stay cooped up in gyms to get some fresh air and exercise. The Coachella Valley is covered with jogging and walking trails, baseball fields, volleyball and tennis courts, hiking trails, swimming pools, and more. Here are some ideas to get your family moving.
The Desert Recreation District offers a “Trips for Kids” Coachella Valley mountain biking program for youth 10-17 years – call 760.347.3484 for details. In Palm Springs, the Wellness Park at Via Miraleste has a walking/jogging loop and five exercise/fitness stations on five acres. The Palm Desert Civic Center Park offers volleyball courts, baseball fields, and a skate park, and the famous Bump & Grind trail behind the Target in Palm Desert is a 3-mile loop hike that runs 60-75 minutes to climb and descend. Unless you are a seasoned hiker, consider getting into the local hiking clubs for your own safety. The Coachella Valley Hiking Club in the Palm Springs area lists hiking dates and rules at cvhikingclub.net, the Mt. San Jacinto Hiking Club offers challenging hikes in and around the Valley (meetup.com/hiking-coachella-valley), and Desert Trails Hiking Club is Valley-wide (DesertTrailsHiking.com). Check out the triathlon series December 3-4 with the motto “A Distance for Everyone,” assuring a course geared to your unique level of training. Details at HitsTriathlonSeries.com/palm-springs-ca.
If you’re more of a spectator, check out the2016 National Championship of the American FootGolf League. FootGolf combines the popular sports of soccer and golf. To play FootGolf, athletes use regulation size #5 soccer balls on a traditional golf course with 21-inch diameter cups. FootGolf is played on a regulation 18 hole golf course, and the pace of play standard round for FootGolf is 2 hours. Tee times may be booked 7 days in advance. The championship will take place November 4-6 at Desert Willow Golf Resort, Palm Desert. Phone 760.346.0015 for details.
And don’t forget your sunscreen! Here are some facts from The Environmental Working Group:
A good sunscreen can play a role in preventing sunburns that are a major risk factor for melanoma – provided you use it correctly. Sunscreen should be just one tool in your arsenal. These eight little known facts about sunscreens will help you spot problem products and avoid getting burned.
- There’s no proof that sunscreens prevent most skin cancer.
- Don’t be fooled by high SPF.
- The common sunscreen additive vitamin A may speed development of skin cancer.
- European sunscreens provide better UVA protection.
- Sunscreen doesn’t protect skin from all types of sun damage.
- Some sunscreen ingredients disrupt hormones and cause skin allergies.
- Mineral sunscreens contain nano-particles.
- If you avoid sun, check your vitamin D levels.
