Oh yes. It's about to get much, much worse.

So peel those sticky legs off that vinyl chair and yank the undies out of the icebox. Here are five of our favorite beat-the-heat suggestions for one-upping summer's wicked weather.

Our Pick: Secrets of the Schuylkill's afternoon and sunset tours
The Deats: Every Thu., 5 and 7 p.m.; every Sat., 4 p.m., runs through Aug. 5, $14-$20, departs from Walnut Street Dock, 215-985-9393, www.schuylkillbanks.org
Why It's Cool: Fuck the Duck. The Schuylkill Banks is inaugurating its first season on "the hidden river" with boat cruises that take passengers along the Schuylkill River Trail to Bartram's Gardens and Fairmount Water Works.

Our Pick: The Learn to Sail program at the Cooper River Yacht Club in Collingswood, N.J.
The Deats: Four-week classes run Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 10-Aug. 4 or Aug. 7-Aug. 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $165, 856-869-9145, www.cooperriveryc.org
Why It's Cool: Delaware Waterfront director Angus Robertson teaches folks small-boat basics—namely how to dock, tackle and jib. You can learn the difference between the port and starboard, find out what a fid is and make your boat yare. Sailing certificates may be earned, as well as a killer tan.

Our Pick: Schuylkill Banks Kayak Tour
The Deats: Various weekends, 10 a.m. and noon, runs through July 29, $30 for singles or $45 per couple for a tandem kayak, departs from Walnut Street Dock, 888-748-7445, www.schuylkillbanks.org
Why It's Cool: A half-hour lesson followed by an hour guided tour away from the falls in weighted kayaks (not pictured) is a nifty way to work up a sweat. And besides, with the toxicity alert, you'll be more motivated than ever to keep that kayak upright.

Our Pick: Philadelphia Canoe Club's open house
The Deats: Sun., July 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Philadelphia Canoe Clubhouse, 4900 Ridge Ave., 215-487-9674, www.philacanoe.org
Why It's Cool: 'Cause the last time you tried, some jerk counselor made fun of you at the marshmallow roast. Philadelphia Canoe Club has a more sensitive approach, providing interested folks with information, tours, food, demonstrations, races, boat rides and vendors selling used boats and equipment.

Our Pick: The "sprayground" at 48th St. and Woodland Ave.
The Deats: Open daily until dark, free for kids ages 6-12
Why It's Cool: Unless you're tennis buds with a resident at the Dorchester condominiums or willing to slosh in the dog-pee fountains at Logan's Circle and Rittenhouse Square, an (affordable) urban pool is hard to come by. Do as the kids do instead. With geysers, colorful coiled pipes and nozzles, this is better than any plastic slip-and-slide in a suburban back yard.