How to Select Baton-Twirling Supplies

As with any kind of purchase, you can find baton-twirling supplies that range from low-quality and inexpensive to high-quality and costly. Although twirling is not as expensive a sport as skiing or scuba diving, you will need to budget a modest amount of funds for a quality baton, a hoop (if you use one), cases and cleaning supplies, special balls and tips and club or school t-shirts. Uniforms and costumes are considered a separate category, but you could consider instructional materials, magazines and even music CDs as being twirling supplies.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Select Baton-Twirling Supplies

1. Determine what it is you are shopping for, whether your first assemblage of twirling gear or a specific item like polishing cloths.
2. Select supplies according to your level of expertise and usage and buy in advance so you do not get caught without something you need. If you are a veteran twirler and performing often, you need to have a backup for everything you use, including batons, cases, cleaning supplies, and special balls or tips.
3. Save all of your receipts when you do make purchases to track your expenditures as well as be prepared to make returns or exchanges of merchandise.
4. Remember to pick up smaller supplies, like chalk or rosin. Although it's easy to overlook these types of supplies in favor of well-built cases and flashy tassels, they're actually vital to keeping your baton clean and your performance fluid.
5. Find baton supplies by asking your school or club coach for recommendations on local stores, consulting the ads in a twirling magazine such as "Drum Major" and checking out the supplier listing at websites such as TwirlZone.com (see Resources below). It is as important to select a good supplier as it is to select good supplies.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop smart as you would for anything else. Quality materials and construction are always more important than the latest "in" thing.
• Members of such groups as the United States Twirling Association (USTA) often qualify for discounts on supplies, as do members of school teams (see Resources below).
• If you are just starting as a twirler, and don't have a large budget, get the primary items first, including your batons, and build up your inventory over time.
• If you are an experienced twirler, keep track of your supplies and restock when necessary. Don't get caught short.