Nothing ruins a summer vacation faster than a heat stroke. That means you need to think like a fish and always be surrounded by water. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate some more. Plus, keep track of your solar hygiene so you beat the sun before the sun beats you.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! (Especially Since You’re Drinking…)

No fishing trip is complete without a cooler full of brews—and maybe the tequila import you brought back from Mexico on your last vacation.

That being said, you have to keep in the water while you’re out on the water.

A good rule of thumb: 8 oz. of agua for every alcoholic beverage (be it 1 beer, 1 shot, or 1 glass of wine (if you go for a mason jar of moonshine, then just give up)).

Sweat is your friend. It’s how your body cools down. But you need to up your water intake to replenish your reserves.

Sunscreen Ain’t for Sissies, It’s for Professionals

Amateurs burn. Professionals bring a bottle of sunscreen. From any drugstore you’re looking for 30 SPF minimum. For your face, you want even higher.

Ladies already know the drill, since cosmetic companies long ago figured out that sunscreen is the single most important thing you can do to preserve your skin’s health.

Not only does sunscreen significantly lower your chances of getting skin cancer, it also prevents aging, wrinkles, sagging, sunspots, and malignant moles.

75-year-old you will thank you for being cream-conscious.

Limit Your Exposure, Keep Track of the Time

Make sure you have ample shade and a place to take a break from the sun. 

No one wants to find you passed out on the back of the boat, with a mouthful of deck dirt, because you didn’t take sun poisoning seriously.

Grab 15 minutes of shade for every hour of exposure. Make sure you have clothes that will repel the sun but not be too hot to wear. If you’re planning on skinny dipping (or if the moment inspires you) or keeping the shirt off make sure all the relevant parts of your body are covered with a generous helping of sunscreen.

Remember, if it’s exposed, it will burn.

Remember to Eat!

While not directly related to repelling the sun, lack of food can contribute to exhaustion.

Marathon runners, surfers, and any beachgoer can tell you that being under direct sunlight all day only makes strenuous activities even more tiring.

You need to keep your energy up with ample snacks (healthy ones, too). You can go in for nuts, protein bars, nutrient-rich snack bars, protein-heavy cold cuts, vegged-out salads, and of course some sugary alternatives.