How Valley coaches are helping their students to beat the heat

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Climbing heat is causing a Sunnyside High School PE teacher to switch-up students swim schedules this week.

"Getting into the upper triple digits this week usually we would swim after lunch-- now we swim in the morning, then we go into the air conditioned gym for the second part before I take them to a classroom," said Blake Hudson, PE teacher.

Sunnyside's PE coach said he changed swim hours to get his students out of the sun sooner. While he would normally bring them outside for some activities, they are strictly inside their air-conditioned gym and classroom for the rest of the school day.

The Fresno Unified School District said sports practices have even changed their hours so they are not outdoors in the middle of the day.

"As far as I know most of our practices are either after 7:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. in the evening, and I know some schools have changed their practices to the morning," said Brett Mar, FUSD Athletic Manager.

They also said they are making sure their coaches know to teach their players how to stay hydrated throughout the day, even while they are not at practice.

"Our number one concern is our safety for our students, so making sure that they're staying out of the heat as much as possible, allowing breaks whenever they need it-- frequent breaks. Allowing them to have water breaks whenever they need it," said Mar.

Summer school student Omar Aguilar said he was expecting the triple digit temperatures to feel worse, but since they are only outdoors in the mornings now, he said it is not too bad.

"I feel pretty fortunate, I feel lucky to actually have a pool."

Fresno Unified said if temperatures do reach 105 degrees at any point throughout the day, all outdoor activities will shut down.