BEAT THE HEAT IN PHOENIX ARIZONA

Sometimes a mojito just won't do it to quench the heat of Phoenix summers. Fortunately, Phoenix locals have long known seven secrets for beating the heat.

The first is to head north to Slide Rock, in gorgeous Sedona. The next is to grab your inner tube and head for the Salt River! Wanna get out of town? Head to San Diego or Rocky Point. Want to stay in town but still make a day trip of it? Visit your local water parks.

Sometimes, though, you can beat the heat AND get some exercise at the same time. Enter, the lap lanes at your local pool. There are more than 60 public swimming pools in the cities and towns of Greater Phoenix. As far flung as Apache Junction to Buckeye to Gila Bend, aquatics and water centers are located in many municipalities around Greater Phoenix - and beyond.

Apache Junction Aquatics - Pay as you go or get a season pass for the Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center in Apache Junction.

Buckeye Aquatic Center - The Buckeye pool features a circular pool slide, two fountain play areas, morning aerobics, lap swim, water aerobics, and swimming lessons. Season passes available.

Chandler Aquatics - The City of Chandler operates six public swimming pools. Pool hours coincide with the school calendar for the district in which each facility is located.

Gila Bend Swimming Pool - The Gila Bend public pool, adjacent to a large park with huge shade trees, is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Gilbert Aquatics - Gilbert has four public pools that offer swim lessons, aquacise classes, junior lifeguard programs, youth swim and dive teams, zero depth areas, kiddie slides, double water slides, and diving boards.

Glendale Swimming Pools - Glendale operates eight public swimming pools, with programs including synchronized swimming, water polo, swim and dive teams, Junior Lifeguard/GuardStart, special events, and swim lessons.

Goodyear Swimming Pool - The Goodyear pool, open through late September, is open later in the season than most public pools in the Valley. Features open swim, Goodyear Community Days/Events, swim team, dive team, swim lessons, and water aerobics.

Litchfield Park Recreation Center Pool - Daily, weekly, or summer passes give you access to open swim, swim team, water aerobics, swimming lessons, and GuardStart.

Mesa Aquatics - Several of Mesa's 11 public swimming pools feature the Aqua Climb - it's like a rick climbing wall in the pool! Pay as you go, or buy a season pass. Also, recreational swim team, dive team, synchronized swim team, and a water polo team.

Peoria Swim Programs - Peoria has three public swimming pools where you can pay as you go or purchase a season pass. Also swim team, water aerobics, and swim lessons for all ages.

Phoenix Public Pools - There are 18 public swimming pools on the west side of the Phoenix, and 11 on the East side of the city. They offer open swim, swim lessons, swim team, water slides, and diving boards.

Scottsdale Public Pools - Scottsdale has four aquatic centers.

Tempe Public Pools - Tempe has four swimming pools.

Go out and take a lap or two and you'll feel great!