Staying organized for sports can be a time consuming task, whether its for your own activities or those of your children. Some sports are heavier on the gear side, some on the logistic side. Some like hockey require both since both teams and gear are involved. Add in an animal, as with horse back riding, and the need for organization gets that much greater. Your 4 – legged friend is counting on you to be, and stay, organized!
We don’t have a horse in our family but we sure have a lot of sports activity and sports gear. Over the years there have been soccer balls and team uniforms, baseballs and bats, inline skates, hockey equipment, swim team/practice equipment, sailing gear/tools, skis and ski clothes. As my children get older, the number of sports has decreased but the sophistication and expense of the gear has increased. Sound familiar?
Use Hooks to stay Organized for Sports
How does a professional organizer tackle sports gear for their family? I’m a hook person and to stay organized for sports gear, I head first for a hook. The advantages of hanging sports gear on a hook are many. Here’s just a few:
- Gets the gear off the floor and away from harm (dogs)
- Allows it to dry and breath (swimsuits, life jackets)
- Uses vertical space for more efficient storage (bicycles, skis, ski poles)
- Costs very little compared to cupboards
- Keeps the gear accessible to grab and go
Which Hook?
Depends. I have several different types depending on the type of gear, how heavy it is, who uses it, whether off season or in season storage and whether the storage location has to change from time to time. Here are my 3 favourites and hopefully some ideas for you to use as your own.
- 3M Command Hooks. These are movable without leaving marks, scratches or holes.
An empty sailing bag stays clean, dry and out of the way on a hook.
I use them to hang my name tag, knee brace, helmet, kids stickers, pocket reference book and keys in my ski instructor boot locker. They can be used for judo or karate belts. We use them for empty sailing gear bags, life jackets.
- Vinyl-coated screw in hooks. These are widely available across North America. They are great for bicycles and heavier gear that involves weight. They are particularly good for items that need protection from the hook or are wet (paddles).
- Nails. What can I say – they still make the least expensive, universal hanging device.
Cottagers know this better than anyone and use them for paddles, life jackets, cushions, towels and anything else that needs getting up off the dock, floor, deck or ground.
You may have your favourite sports gear hooks as well. I`d love to know what you use. How do you store your favourite sports gear?
