BALL 

The ball picks up dirt and scratches easily. Use only on a gym floor or carpeted areas. Do NOT place your ball on top of news print. The ink will stick to the surface of the ball.

To clean the ball, use mild detergent and lukewarm water. Rinse well and dry with soft clean cloth. Do not submerge in water.

Do Not leave your ball fully pumped when you are flying, especially if you check it in with your luggage. The changes in pressure may cause leak or damages to your ball.

Do not leave the ball in extreme heat/cold (e.g. overnight in a car when it is freezing or locked inside the car in direct sun during the summer months, right in front or on top of a heater or fireplace)

One member of the team should always have a small ball pump to allow you to adjust your ball's air pressure after travel. Regular basketball pump works well at home.

To inflate or deflate, always moisten both sides (i.e. the hole and the needle) before inserting the needle! Make sure that you are inserting the needle perpendicularly or you may damage the valve.

If you want to keep your ball in good shape, do NOT play with it outdoors or on dirty surfaces. Rough surfaces will cut into the surface and damage its shine.  

RIBBON

The ribbon is made of satin (or a similar material without starch).

Some of our Ribbons come in 4m, 5m & 6m lengths in accordance with age, height, and level of experience. For all higher level and international competitors 6m ribbons are only used.

You can not cut or alter a 6m ribbon shorter as this will cause severe fraying to the ends.

Caring for your ribbon is very important as with the storage of your ribbon.

It is recommended you use a ribbon purse winder for ease of storing your ribbon.   Alternatively a free and easy way could be ziplock bag. It is essential that after using your ribbon you neatly store it away to protect it from moisture and scrunching.

To keep your ribbon nice and fresh we suggest you iron your ribbon (very occasionally). Do not place the iron directly onto your ribbon. You must place a pillow slip/cover or towel over the top of your ribbon before ironing to protect it from direct heat and damaging your ribbon.

ROPE

The rope can be made of hemp or other synthetic material. Its length is proportional to the gymnast’s height.

Your rope will stay in competition form if you take some precautions. Such as when not in use store it away.

Skipping or dragging your rope on rough surfaces can damage the rope, which may cause the centre of the rope to fray.

Most skipping ropes come in 3m. However not all gymnasts require a 3m rope due to their height requirements.  

To measure a rope correctly you can ask your coach for assistance but generally an idea is to have the gymnast stand on the rope with two feet and then bring the ends just under the arm pits. This will indicate the suitable length required.

When your required length is attained, adjustments could be made by adding tape or knots to the ends- you may wish to protect the ends from fraying first. If the rope has to be cut, the ends will be 'raw'. You can 'seal' the ends closed with several techniques. It is a good idea to practice with part of the discarded rope first if you are unsure what will work best for the rope you have purchased. Your coach can assist you here.

Hemp ropes CAN NOT be altered in any state to adjust to a gymnasts height exept by adding knots.   However by adding knots it will damage the natural fibre and when the gymnasts grows does not allow for the unknotting of the ropes. Hemp ropes are of greater quality in performance but less durable then the synthetic.

CLUBS

They are 40-50cm long and weight 150gr each and should be made of wood or synthetic material for competing gymnasts. We do carry a 35cm Junior Club for the beginner and young gymnast.

Clubs are relative easy to look after. The first thing to watch for is warping. This occurs when clubs aren't stored properly and are placed under conditions of high temperature, pressure or weight. Dropping your Clubs on harsh surfaces can cause damage as well. The motto is to catch the Club and not drop it.

Storage when not in use is ideal for care and safety.

HOOP

The hoop may be made of plastic or wood. Its interior diameter is generally from 80 to 90 cm; its minimum weight is 300 grams required for senior and international competitors. The hoop must be rigid enough to retain its shape. We stock hoops from size 70cm to 90cm.

To ensure that your hoop is perfectly round you can place it on an even surfaced floor and the hoop will be perfectly smooth.

Never store your hoop anywhere that someone else can access it when you are not there.

Store your hoop in a hoop bag - this will help ensure the hoop stays as round as possible due to the constriction of the bag toward the centre of the hoop, as well as protecting it somewhat from the elements.   Do not allow your hoop to be subjected to high temperatures (left in the car on a hot day)

Avoid moves that pull the hoop in two directions, which can cause warping and seam breakage.

Avoid moves that put a great deal of pressure or weight on the hoop in some way that may cause it to break.  

STICKS

The stick is of 1 cm diameter and a length from 50 to 60 cm. It is usually made of wood, bamboo, plastic or fibreglass. Its maximum weight is 35 grams

A common problem with ribbon sticks is with the components that connect the ribbon to the stick. These pieces, usually metal, are small and lightweight and are easily broken.

Excessive hooking and unhooking can weaken pieces of the metal due to metal fatigue.

Avoid any moves which put a great deal of force on the connecting components so that they aren't pulled apart.

Sticks can snap or break if there is forced bending of the stick.   Always store your ribbon stick in a plastic or metal tube that protects it from bending.