From the Caribbean to the Okanagan. The Heat They Didn't Warn You About

When I experienced my first summer in the Okanagan, I decided to hit the beach in my sandals with one thought in mind: "I'm Latino, I come from the Caribbean. Heat doesn’t scare me!" Well... I was wrong.

On that first day, I felt the Canadian sun on my skin and thought,"This isn’t just heat. This is spicy!"It literally stung. You see, the Okanagan sun doesn’t mess around. It doesn’t matter if you’re from Colombia’s coast, Mexico’s deserts, or the dry heat of Mendoza—this sun has its own vibe. In the shade, it feels nice, even cool. But step into the sunlight, and it suddenly feels 20 degrees hotter.

Why is Canadian heat different?

Many of us come from countries with famous beaches, high temperatures, and clear skies. But in Canada—especially in places like the Okanagan—the ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels are much higher than what we’re used to. The air is dry, the shade can be deceiving, and the sun can cause damage quickly.

Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are real and common, especially among outdoor workers. Some summers have already hit 38°C (100°F) in this region.

Who’s at risk?

In the Latino community here in the Okanagan, many of us work in:

• Agriculture and farms (SAWP)

• Vineyards and wineries

• Construction

• Landscaping

• Food delivery (on bikes or walking)

• Home healthcare

All of these involve long hours under the sun. The first few days are the riskiest—your body needs time to adjust, and without that “acclimatization,” you can get sick fast.

How to recognize heat stroke

Symptoms can start mild but escalate quickly:

• Dizziness or confusion

• Muscle cramps

• Nausea or vomiting

• Headache

• Fast heart rate

• Heavy sweating… or stopping sweating completely (which is VERY serious)

If you feel any of these, get out of the sun immediately, find shade, hydrate, and seek help. In severe cases, call 911.

Latino-style heat survival tips

Here are some tricks our community uses:

1. Frozen water bottles “Costco-style” Buy a pack of small water bottles. Freeze 4–5 of them the night before. Instead of carrying ice, toss the frozen bottles into your lunch bag. They’ll keep your food cool for hours and turn into cold water as they thaw. Works for 3 to 5 hours!

2. Hat + damp cloth combo A wide-brimmed hat gives shade. Tie a wet cloth underneath for an extra cool-down. Some folks even use old t-shirts as DIY turbans.

3. Sips, not gulps Don’t chug liters at once. Take small sips every 15–20 minutes, even if you’re not thirsty. Skip energy drinks or coffee—they dehydrate you more.

4. Lightweight long-sleeve shirts It may sound weird, but a light long-sleeve shirt protects you better than a t-shirt. Choose light colors and breathable fabrics.

Resources in BC that can help

Even if we’re far from home, BC has support to help us stay safe:

• WorkSafeBC offers heat safety info in Spanish.

• HealthLinkBC (call 811) provides health advice in your language, including for heat-related illness.

• Local community centers often have cooling stations on extreme days. Go inside, get water, breathe.

In Kelowna, Vernon, and Penticton, these centers are part of their city-run Recreation and Wellness programs. They’re easy to find through city websites or community organizations.

What we need as a community

It’s not just about working hard—it’s about working with health and dignity. As Latinos, we bring pride, energy, and heart. But we shouldn’t ignore the heat just because we think we’re “used to it.” Canada has a different kind of sun—one that can be dangerous if we don’t respect it.

Share these tips with your coworkers. Ask about shade, breaks, and help others—especially newcomers—understand how to stay safe.

I learned my lesson. Now I’ve got my frozen bottles, long-sleeved shirts, and I hunt for shade like I’m looking for Wi-Fi. If you’re still learning how to handle the Canadian summer—don’t worry. We all are. Yes, the sun here is spicy. But with respect, humor, and smart habits, we can enjoy summer safely. Let’s look out for one another!

Thanks for reading to the end! If you’ve got your own Canadian summer survival tip, share it in the comments or send it to us for our next post.

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See you next time from the beautiful, sunny Okanagan!