Stay hydrated and safe in the sun is the message from the medical experts

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Robert Meeuwsen keeps cool during his game against Alison/Bruno on Thursday

Sun, sand and soaring temperatures – the Fort Lauderdale Major has been blessed with perfect, beautiful beach volleyball weather.

But for the Olympic and World Championship stars on the court and the thousand of beach fans inside the Red Bull Beach Arena, there comes an important message: stay healthy!

Both players and supporters can suffer from the effects of dehydration and sunburn so it’s vital in these sizzling conditions to keep cool and stay hydrated.

Around the Beach Village and players’ area are a number of services to keep players and fans in top condition.

The athletes, who can spend hours in the sun battling it out for a place on the podium, can use a number of services available to them, not only to maintain fitness but also stay safe.

CORA, physical therapy partners of the Fort Lauderdale Major, have 30 professionals available to the players. Physicians, athletic trainers – who help courtside – physical therapists, a massage therapist and chiropractors are all on hand to assist the stars.

To keep cool, players can also take a dip in an ice bath and make use of a special cryotherapy unit on site. Athletes are subjected to a short session of temperatures of minus 60 degrees Celsius. Fans can also experience the deep freeze benefits of the cryotherapy chamber. Those interested should head straight to their trailer which is situated in the Beach Village.

“Beach volleyball can carry risks to both players and fans, especially when you’re outside in the elements where the weather is unpredictable,” Kathleen Davenport, who is working with CORA at the event, told beachmajorseries.com.

“The CORA team have done a great job to provide everything for a variety of elements for the players to keep them playing on the court.

“Dehydration and sunburn are among the biggest issues but all of the staff here are helping the players’ recovery. It’s important that when dealing with athletes of Olympic level that there’s a professional team with unique services to meet their needs.”

Among the players to use the facilities was Olympic bronze medalists Robert Meeuwsen and rising Austrian star Moritz Pristauz.

“The team here are great dealing with the players – they are always available, so friendly and,” said Meeuwsen. “Everything is here for the all teams and they really know their stuff. We’ve played a lot of tournaments over the years so we’re used to dealing with hot and humid conditions. Cooling down is important after a hot game.”

Pristauz added: “It’s warm playing here. We used the cryotherapy and we really felt the advantages. In Austria it’s minus 12 degrees Celsius and here the weather is amazing. It’s hot but we know it’s important to cool down properly after long matches in the sun.”

If you want to ask the pros at CORA directly how to maintain your performance in the healthiest way possible, visit their website.