Pole Vaulting?

[Tin Soldier]

What do you think?  Seems a little dicey huh?

One of my sons is just starting in HS pole vaulting and it's been fun watching him.  His coach is a former NCAA champion nearly made it to the Olympics, and he's pretty cool guy and really ecouraging for the kids.  Also, we live in Tracktown USA.  There is a pole vault club in town that I've been looking to get my kid and maybe a few others from the HS into.  The funny thing is that the two Dads, myself and another guy, both pole vaulted in high school and now we're dreaming of doing it again.  Too funny.  Both of our sons just roll their eyes at us. 

Obviously I'd wait til the full year and ask the doc, but I think the main issue would be landing in a bad way (AKA crashing).

[imgetinold]

Hey, Tin.  I, too, was a pole vaulter (actually had the school record for 15 years, but it wasn't that impressive - 14' 6").  For years, I've thought the same thing.....if my son ever joins track, would I want to test it out again.

Did you ever have a vault go awry?  I clearly remember once not having enough speed, getting way up there, and going sideways.  I was lucky enough to land with my feet on the pit, but my upper body was over the grass, so it kind of launched me sideways into the grass.  Not really hurt....but I was only 17 years old!  I think it would be a different story nearly thirty years later.

Of course, everyone's different, but too much is unpredictable, and the consequences too great in my opinion.  Plus.....unless you've got the speed and strength (and weight) you did then, you might be disappointed in the results.

Good luck.  If you DO vault again, get some video!

[ScubaDuck]

I only tried pole vaulting for a year in junior high.  It was long enough to know it wasn't for me.

I second IMO, take some video if you decide to try it. ???  Better yet, let me know when and I will drive down to Eugene.

Dan

[Tin Soldier]

Sorry it took a couple days to back in on the topic.  Been busy.

I think my record was about 12' and I did indeed have a few problems.  Once I got shot backwards down the runway, not enough speed.  I then was borrowing a pole from a friend that actually owned the pole and I broke it.  Fiberglass fibers everywhere, but I landed after a full flip in the pit, so it was worked out ok. 

I might hold off til fall, I think vaulting would be a great indoor winter hobby.

[B.I.L.L.]

Pole vaulting ? :o And people call me crazy cause I still ride dirtbikes. Sure why not, probably just like a lot of things, it's all good until it isn't, haha. After seeing Spencers x-rays I have to think that a bhr is a pretty durable piece of equipment and can take a pretty substantial hit. I've only landed dirctly on my operated hip twice, once over the handlebars but I landed in soft sand so not much of a test, and another time bodysurfing, that one hurt and caused some swelling but a couple days later it was fine. I'd wait the full year (or more) though and MAKE SURE YOU LAND ON THAT PAD !!  Good luck and have fun 8)

[Tin Soldier]

Yeah, I'm waiting.  Its nice to hear about your crashes, not in a bad way, but in a good way.  In that I would think that a crash on a dirtbike would easilly be more impact than the impacts I receive in soccer.  Obviously it depends on the incident, you can certainly bust up a lot of things dirtbiking.  I think Jon C mentioned a crash on ice on his hip once while skiiing with no serious effects.  Its nice to know that we can probabaly take decent amount of abuse.   

[B.I.L.L.]

Yeah, I'm waiting.  Its nice to hear about your crashes, not in a bad way, but in a good way.  In that I would think that a crash on a dirtbike would easilly be more impact than the impacts I receive in soccer.  Obviously it depends on the incident, you can certainly bust up a lot of things dirtbiking.  I think Jon C mentioned a crash on ice on his hip once while skiiing with no serious effects.  Its nice to know that we can probabaly take decent amount of abuse.   

Lots of guinea pigs for various sports in here, looks like you'll be the "Bhr pole vault testing" guy. Good luck !!, and when you start jumping post some video !!  8)

[Tin Soldier]

I'm going to have to now.  I really should post some photos and video of all these things we do after HR.