First, there is very little care that is necessary for these sticks. Maybe the most important one is, not to leave it behind at the pool or someone will steal it and won't give it back. I recommend that you write your name or initials on the handle, to identify that it's yours. The best way to write on the sticks is with a "paint pen." You can get them at most any stationary store, and they may go by other names, but you will know what they are, since you have to shake them and you will hear a rattle inside the pen as a ball bounces up and down to agitate the paint within. It works the best, and is also the best way to put a demarcation line on the sticks too. I prefer the silver color, since it marks both white and black sticks equally well. The sticks don't absorb water, so you don't have to dry them in between pool sessions. I just usually throw them in my hockey bag and they stay wet until the next session. The color is inherent in the material, so you don't have to re-paint them periodically. The material won't wear away or splinter like wood, so the sticks will last a long time. I have some users who have had their sticks for over 2 to 3 years now, and just refuse to ever use a wooden stick again, and they don't need to since the sticks are like the Energizer bunny; they just keep on going and going and going.......
Second, these sticks are virtually indestructible, but they can be broken if excessive force is used on them. The average user won't readily break a stick and the minimum life of a stick is about a year, or longer, depending on the number of sessions that the stick was used for, the amount of abuse that it is subjected to, etc. In short, it's virtually impossible to determine when and if a stick will break. However, depending on the warranty that you obtained with your Wonderstik, if they should break, don't throw the pieces away. I can repair it and it will be as good as new. I currently offer a free repair service, so it won't cost you anything except for postage.
Third, exposure to sunlight and the subsequent heat generated, will cause temporary softening of the sticks and will reduce their effectiveness greatly. I do not recommend exposing them to the sun for extended periods of time, further, if you can keep the temperature of your Wstiks to nominal levels, the sticks will perform much better. At this time, there is no evidence that the ultraviolet rays of the sun will degrade or damage the sticks, but like anything else, exposure to the sun can't be good at all.
Fourth, although you won't need to paint your sticks, it is not mandatory, but recommended that the sticks be sanded about once every 6 weeks or so. I find that the leading edge may get somewhat slick, and almost slippery to the touch when you wet it with water and run your finger across it. You can rejuvenate the surface by lightly sanding the sticks with 60-grit sandpaper. Use proper ventilation or wear a dust mask when sanding, and don't breathe the sanding dust. I use an orbital, vibrating sander, but you can do it by hand if you don't have one. The sanding roughens up the material and when wet, your finger should feel sticky on the stick material. I have even roughened up the leading edge, using the cement deck at poolside! In addition, when I use the sander, I sand all surfaces of the sticks since you can "play" the puck on the top and bottom as well as the front and back of the sticks. I also sand the handle too, to give my hand a good grip. Don't sand both colors of sticks with the same sandpaper, or the colors will become imbedded in the sandpaper and will leave color traces on the opposite color sticks. You don't need to sand very much, either, just enough to achieve the tacky feel to the stick when wetted with water. The white stick may also discolor with time to a sorta yellowish color, that is normal, and is no cause for concern, as the sanding will take it off and bring back the original, white color.
Fifth, If you like to use a lanyard with the sticks, you can, but don't drill a hole in the middle of the sticks, or you will weaken the material, and the sticks will most probably break, right where you drilled the hole. Btw, it will also void the warranty on the sticks. If you want to attach the lanyard at the middle of the sticks, you can tie it on instead and that works just fine. I recommend using shoestring as a lanyard. If you want to drill a hole, drill it at the end of the handle instead, and make sure the lanyard is long enough to prevent your wrist from being injured should you get blocked abruptly.
Finally, if you should have any kind of problem or question with the sticks, I definitely want you to write or call and I will do whatever it takes to make you a happy Wstik user.
