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Hurling only requires three pieces of equipment, the camán or hurling stick, the sliotar or ball, and a helmet. Helmets are now required for any active play, including scrimmages, to protect from incidental contact. If you come to a practice as a guest, we'll have equipment for you to use until you decide to join the club! The total cost of equipment to play is between $120 and $150, but you can spend more if you choose top of the line equipment. Optional equipment includes gloves with protective ribs on the back of the hand. The club has some inventory in stock for members in the Club Store.
Ash Hurls - $28-$50. The traditional camán or hurling stick is made from the base of the Ash tree. The base is used because it flares out and the manufacturers use the flaring area as the head, or "bas", of the hurley. Click here to see a video showing a camán being made. There are many traditional hurley makers in Ireland and one in the U.S. The company PlayHurling is a U.S. based manufacturer. The Canning Hurling Company is an Irish hurley maker and donated a signed hurl for a St. Baldricks Foundation fundraiser. USHurling.com is an affordable, American-based retailer with reasonable shipping charges.
Composite Hurleys. These are any hurley that isn't made of wood. It started with Cúltec, but now included Reynolds Hurleys and iHurls. Each has its own weight and feel, but the biggest advantage in North America is that they don't become brittle due to the dry weather. Don't get us wrong, they still break. Its just that they are more weather tolerant than ash hurleys.
Hurling gloves - $13-$30. Hurling gloves have ribs on the back of the glove that protect your hands from incidental impact with a Hurley. There are a variety of makers of hurling gloves. We favor Myrco gloves for design, protection and durability.
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Where to buy! Here are links to companies that sell hurling gear online. We do not endorse any retailer.
There are a variety of helmet makers of good quality. The most popular are Mycro, Cooper, Azzurri and O'Neill's. The prices range widely from $65 to $125. I won't try to favor one helmet over another. Like with hurleys, once a helmet is approved safe, it is all about personal preference.
There are several types of sliotars, including leather game balls, wall balls, First Touch large children's soft slitters and Soft Touch small children's sliotars.
Leather Game Sliotars - $6-$10 each. Size 5 for men and size 4 for kids and Camogie players (women's hurling). Sliotar pricing has been coming down in recent years!
Wall balls - $5-$10 each. Wall balls are for practicing both in the field and practicing striking and catching by hitting against brick wall. This is affectionately called "wall ball." They are artificial leather and moisture resistant.
First Touch Soft Sliotars - $10-$14 each. These are larger than standard sliotars and designed for small children just getting started.
Soft Touch soft sliotars - $6-$10 each. These are for children up to approximately 12 are are size 4. They are soft to promote development of catching skills.
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