Many people have a lot of free time during summer vacation. They tend to sit around with nothing to do, which leads to people becoming unfit. During the school year, students have more opportunities for physical activity, such as walking around campus, playing for a sports team, or participating in P.E. When school’s out, teens need to find other ways to get moving.
One solution to this problem is playing sports. Playing sports can be a great hobby to have, as it can be a fun way to stay fit during the summer, along with having many other benefits.
Sports encourage teamwork and problem-solving skills and can help people maintain a healthy weight, develop self-confidence, and reduce stress, according to “Benefits of Sports for Adolescents” by Missouri University Health Care.
Here are some great sports to play during the summer.
(Disclaimer: Some of the locations listed might require a membership or a fee.)
- Swim*
Swimming is the ultimate summer sport! Pools are easily accessible, as there are so many, and you can also swim at the beach. Swimming is also a budget-friendly sport since all you need are a pair of goggles and swim attire.
Some places where you can swim are Milpitas Star Aquatics & Fitness and the Milpitas Sports Center, just to name a few (both of these places require a membership).
Swimming is the top summer sport since you can cool off from the hot summer sun and relax.
However, one problem with swimming is that you don’t interact with others. The teamwork aspect of sports is not included in this sport.
For those who enjoy competition, swimming as a hobby might not be your first choice. However, you can always race your friends.
- Pickleball
Pickleball is another popular summer sport. According to “Riding the Wave of Trends: America’s Top 10 Fastest Growing Sports” by Tiffany Allen from GMTM Sports, it’s the fastest growing sport in America. The sport saw a “171.1% increase in participants from 2018 to 2022.”
Pickleball is pretty easy to pick up, and you don’t need a lot of people to play. The playing area is decently small, so you can play in your backyard if it’s big enough, or on the street in your neighborhood. It is also easy to pick up and relatively inexpensive. Many senior citizens can be seen playing this sport, showing the age friendliness of the sport.
The equipment needed to play is a paddle and a couple of pickleball balls, and pickleball shoes, which are optional. One place where you can play pickleball is at Hall Memorial Park, which has two tennis courts and eight pickleball courts.
You can play singles or doubles in pickleball. It starts with an underarm serve, which needs to be bounced before returning. There is a non-volley zone, which is 7 feet from both sides of the net, called the “kitchen”.
- Basketball
Basketball is another great summer sport.
Basketball is also very accessible since there are so many places where you can play it. Some locations where you can play basketball are Peter Gill Memorial Park, 24 Hour Fitness, and Pinewood Park. You can also buy a hoop and play on your driveway.
The equipment is pretty cheap; you only need a pair of basketball shoes and a basketball, making it very accessible. It is generally better to get basketball shoes, as other shoes might increase the chances of injury.
On those hot, sunny summer days, the Sun’s reflection might get into your eyes and make it difficult to shoot. Additionally, playing pick-up basketball can be very competitive at times.