The Autumn season is finally upon us, and with the temperatures finally falling below 90 degrees, we Arizonans have many things to look forward to. These include wearing long pants again, enjoying cool water from the cold water tap, and playing Ultimate without the risk of disc melt. All right, I admit a bit of an exaggeration on the melting of our beloved plastic, but this is a good time to reflect on my experience photographing the Arizona Mixed Madness Tournament this past summer in Phoenix.

The August heat in Phoenix feels like the blast you get when you open your oven to check on your Thanksgiving turkey. The AZ Mixed Madness tournament is an annual experience in Phoenix. Most of Arizona’s club teams were represented this year, except our friends from the cool pine country of the northern part of the state.  With club names like Del Sol and Ozone the stage was set for Ultimate Arizona Summer style.

AZ Mixed Madness 2015AZ Mixed Madness held in Phoenix, Arizona August 16, 2015 Temp - Sunny and 110 F

Arizona Mixed Madness: Sunny and 110 F

AZ Mixed Madness 2015AZ Mixed Madness held in Phoenix, Arizona August 16, 2015 Temp - Sunny and 110 F

August skies blanket great Ultimate in Arizona

Throughout the day, my camera and I witnessed great athletes diving and leaping for the disc while artificial field temperatures reached 150 degrees.  Staying focused and cool while capturing the action was a photographic challenge that was new to me. Last year's tournament was rained out by the annual monsoon that rolls into Arizona. This year's heat was more typical and by midday I had noticed that my camera was feeling like a hot iron being placed next to my face.  Any non-rubber surface on the camera was off limits to the touch. The screen on the back of my Canon 7D Mark II was so hot that it was burning my nose, making it uncomfortable to keep my camera on the action for long points. Eyes burning from stinging sweat made looking through the viewfinder unbearable at times. My battery life was also a victim to the sun god and I was starting think that maybe oven mitts should be a future member of my camera kit.

I came close a few times to packing it in for the day and heading for my favorite cantina. After all, this was a tournament that I shot pro bono! Drawing inspiration from watching these great athletes I was able to put my mental and physical fatigue on the shelf.  I continued putting up with my overheating camera equipment to record an amazing day. A day and tournament that was truly for the love of Ultimate and the camaraderie of close friends. I was inspired by athletic performances in the harshest of conditions and in the end was I relieved that I had captured some images worthy of a great Ultimate day.

AZ Mixed Madness 2015AZ Mixed Madness held in Phoenix, Arizona August 16, 2015 Temp - Sunny and 110 F

As the day ended, sprinklers were a welcome reward