Pole Vaulting Appreciation Thread

[Blake]

I think the one sport in America that is very underappreciated is pole vaulting. It is a great sport that is pure enjoyment and gives you great exercise at the same time. There is nothing like having a good vault.

I've been vaulting since high school and college and even today, I can say I'm a very good vaulter.

Here's just a few tips that I've learned over the years and if any other vaulters out there have tips of their own, feel free to share:

- proper grip:

Having a proper grip on the pole is very important when attempting a vault. Sometimes it's difficult to put the pole in the hole unless you are gripping the pole the correct way.

- pole lubrication

Lubrication at the end of the pole is not always necessary but I prefer it myself so that the tip slides in with very little effort. The ladies that take care of the hole before hand are supposed to have it ready to go, but sometimes it dries quickly and can make the penetration a little more difficult. I myself have had it happen where my pole bounced right off of the vault box and it did not feel good at all.

- safe vaulting

Myself, I think it's a good idea to wrap the tip of the pole with a rubber cover. Sure, if you are hitting the same box over and over, it might not be as necessary, but if you are vaulting in a place that you are not familiar with, it is a very good idea to wrap your pole. You just never know what's in a box that you are unfamiliar with and you can end up with some serious damage to your pole.


If there are any questions I'll be glad to answer them. Panda, I'm gonna have to ask you to wait for others to ask first before I get to yours as I'm sure you have plenty......

[Frenzy]

is the pole size important or is it all in the lift off? I wanna go vaulting it's just I'm to busy now a days...so i'm happy just watching other people vault.

[mrsmaalox]

If there are any questions I'll be glad to answer them. Panda, I'm gonna have to ask you to wait for others to ask first before I get to yours as I'm sure you have plenty......

Hmm, proper grip and pole lubrication? I think Panda could probably teach you a thing or 2!!
:lol

[JudynTX]

What country would you say that the best pole vaulters are from? :lol

[FreeMason]

Damn, I thought this was going to be a Stokke dedication thread :(

[Blake]

is the pole size important or is it all in the lift off? I wanna go vaulting it's just I'm to busy now a days...so i'm happy just watching other people vault.

Excellent question.

Some will tell you that the size of the pole is not important if vaulters know what they are doing.

I call BS. I use a rather large pole myself and I can honestly saying that having a big pole maximizes the power, distance and ultimately the lift off.

[Blake]

What country would you say that the best pole vaulters are from? :lol

Tough to say. There are excellent vaulters all over the world.

Speaking of pole size, for whatever reason, the Chinese use smaller poles. I'm not going to be the one to say that they can't be the best vaulters, because I'm sure they find their own niche in the sport.....

but I just don't ever see them beating the Americans in the sport.

[JudynTX]

Speaking of pole size, for whatever reason, the Chinese use smaller poles. I'm not going to be the one to say that they can't be the best vaulters, because I'm sure they find their own niche in the sport.....

I've also heard that about the Chinese. :D

[balli]

Damn, I thought this was going to be a Stokke dedication thread :(

Me too.

[Albus Dumbledore]

I really appreciate the Russian and/or Scandinavian Pole Vaulters.

[CuckingFunt]

- pole lubrication

Lubrication at the end of the pole is not always necessary but I prefer it myself so that the tip slides in with very little effort. The ladies that take care of the hole before hand are supposed to have it ready to go, but sometimes it dries quickly and can make the penetration a little more difficult. I myself have had it happen where my pole bounced right off of the vault box and it did not feel good at all.

Fucking lazy ass.

[CuckingFunt]

Damn, I thought this was going to be a Stokke dedication thread :(

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2931/allisonstokkevh6.jpg

[Blake]

Fucking lazy ass.

that's quite a jump.

If the vault box isn't ready, I have no problems lending a helping hand myself and absolutely enjoy the preparation. I recognize it's definitely a team effort to reach maximum vaultage.

On the flip side, I rarely need any help getting my pole ready either.......although I have heard of other vaulters using performance enhancing drugs.

[Chief]

http://blogs.mundodeportivo.es/scorpiobox/files/2008/01/dpt-stokke25.jpg
http://www.roelonline.net/allison_stokke/Allison_Stokke_Vault.jpg

[Frenzy]

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2931/allisonstokkevh6.jpg


:wow

[JudynTX]

On the flip side, I rarely need any help getting my pole ready either.......although I have heard of other vaulters using performance enhancing drugs.

Cheaters! :lol

[PixelPusher]

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2931/allisonstokkevh6.jpg


http://blogs.mundodeportivo.es/scorpiobox/files/2008/01/dpt-stokke25.jpg
http://www.roelonline.net/allison_stokke/Allison_Stokke_Vault.jpg

^the only reason I bothered to click on this thread.

[spurspf]

I like clams.

[Blake]

I like clams.

yeah, look......I realize this thread failed before I even thought about it, but I think there has to be some legit pole vaulters out there and if I can help just one vaulter be the best vaulter they can be then by God, the flaming will have been worth it.

tip of the day:

hitting the hole-

Hitting the hole just right is a very important aspect of vaulting. Hitting the hole just a little to the right or the left may cause the vaulter's pole to slip out of the hole altogether and could cause problems. Sometimes it's better to slow down and make sure the pole is properly inserted than to go too fast and miss the hole altogether.

You are probably aware of the second hole that sits just after the main hole. This hole is mainly used to pump waste out of the area, but some vaulters have found at that they actually prefer to use this hole during the vault.
I'm not going to tell someone else where they should or shouldn't put their pole, but it's not for me. The hole is smaller and I've heard that the pole tends to smell after hitting this hole. If you are the type of vaulter that prefers this hole, I would tell you that wrapping the tip is imperative.