The 2026 Canadian Baton Twirling Championships are underway at the University of Regina from July 1 to 5, drawing athletes from across Saskatchewan who share a deep love for the sport. Among them is Abby Fendelet, a 16-year-old from a farm near Hafford, about 100 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. She moved to Saskatoon two years ago to intensify her training, balancing half-day sessions with school.
Athletes Dedicate Themselves to the Sport
“I do baton half a day and school for half a day. I’ve been training lots … it’s really satisfying and such an accomplishment to see when it comes out at the competitions,” said Fendelet. She previously drove an hour and a half each way to train, calling the sacrifice worthwhile. “I’ve put all my sweat and tears into this … and I wouldn’t want it any other way, just because I love this sport.”
Fendelet aspires to continue baton twirling after high school, potentially becoming a feature twirler at a university in Arizona, where two universities offer dedicated programs. She also hopes to coach in the future. “I want to make myself proud, make everyone proud,” she added.
Teammates Share Their Journeys
Gabriella Buchko, a 13-year-old from Regina, has been twirling for eight years, starting at age five with the Martin School of Dance. “Now it’s my favourite after-school activity,” she said. The most challenging part, she noted, is mental: “Because even though you know you can do it, it’s hard to tell your brain, even when there’s so many other twirlers in the practice gym that you’re just so inspired. It’s very hard to stay calm and cool and collected but being competitive also has many life lessons about how to deal with that.”
Annabelle Kish, 16, also from Regina, acknowledged that baton twirling is unfamiliar to many. “Most people, when they see you trying these tricks and doing these cool things under a metal stick, it’s just crazy to them. They can’t comprehend it at first,” she said. Her secret to effortless performance is repetition: “Practise, practise, practise. If you drop the baton, you have to get up and do it again and persevere. I want to learn from life in terms of baton twirling.”
Competition Highlights and Impact
The championships feature athletes from across Canada, showcasing routines that combine dance, gymnastics, and baton manipulation. For these Saskatchewan twirlers, the event is a culmination of years of training and a chance to demonstrate their skills on a national stage. Fendelet summed up the sentiment: “I want to be the best baton twirler I can be while supporting others.”
