"" Writer's Wanderings: I Be Cool!!

Friday, March 08, 2019

I Be Cool!!

This was the second hottest February on record for Florida. At one point there were 37 records broken throughout southern Florida within 18 days. Lest anyone should think I'm complaining--I'm not. Well, maybe just a little but it still beats the chilly, cold temps back home. It does make it more uncomfortable for playing Pickleball through.

Some of our morning play was in temps that began in the low to mid 70s with the humidity levels at 80-90%. By the time you set up your chairs and got your gear out, you were dripping wet. And then you had to go out in the blazing sun to play. I was perishing by the end of the first game or two.

Bob noticed a lady playing with a long sleeved shirt on and we both wondered how she could with all the heat. When he questioned her, the answer was "I be cool." When she saw our puzzled looks, she explained that it was an IBKul shirt that was made of special material and had sleeves that were partly mesh to allow air flow.

Now skepticism is my middle name and when I searched the internet and found the shirts--and the price!--I was truly unsure of the whole thing. A women's clothing store is walking distance from our condo and I knew that was where our friend got her shirt. Bob encouraged me to go and check it out, buy a shirt and see if it would help keep me playing longer.

I had a 40% off coupon for the store and soon found a shirt that was short sleeved and a little less pricey than the long sleeved ones. Unfortunately when I got to the checkout, I was informed that the coupon didn't cover those shirts. Of course. What was I thinking?

I debated. Then justified the purchase by saying my birthday was coming soon, right?

The next day I put my new shirt on and wondered. Sure the material was a little lighter than my cotton Tees that I play in but was it really that special? Would it really keep me cooler? I joked to Bob on the way out that I couldn't play because I was too cold but I really didn't feel a difference until--

Out on the court I realized that I had what felt like a cool breeze blowing over my shoulders but I knew that wasn't possible in this heat. I played and I played. And I stayed much cooler! I don't think I can afford a wardrobe of these shirts but maybe just one more so I have a spare to wash between Pickleball days. The shirts also have an SPF rating of 50 as well.

I'm sure there are other products on the market like this but this one I can definitely say works. It would be great for those who truly need to stay cool on a hot beach and keep the sun from burning.

No comments:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...