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Softening a pole
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 12:39 pm
by SithGod30
I am a senior in high school and am trying to bend my pole. I current;y vault 11' straight pole so speed and strength are not the problem. I weigh 200 punds and am currently on a 14' new skypole that is extremely stiff. This rules out any possibilty of moving to a shorter pole. I am also currently colding about one foot from the top. I was wondering if anybody knew of any tricks that could help to soften the pole, making it easier to bend. Thank you for any help.
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 12:46 pm
by PVJunkie
There is NO way to soften a pole!!! This same quest was asked on vaultworld. We flex test poles that are 18+ yrs old and they have the same flex # as they did way back then (they did not get softer). Your only solutions are to lose wt so you can use a lighter wt rated pole or work really hard on your run and plant. Learn to be a pole vaulter not a pole bender.
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 1:06 pm
by Decamouse
The other questions - in straight pole'n 11' - what is your grip hgt - you are using a 14' pole - holding at what - 13'? 12'?? -
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 2:11 pm
by Oldcoach
Hey Bryan,
Whats your opinion on teaching a beginner that weighs 200 lbs? My take has always been that you can't find a short enough pole rated for 200 lbs to teach the progressions necessary until the guy has a enough skill to grip a longer pole that is easier to find at that kind of weight. You guys probably make customs but the catalog does't show 12'-13' poles in 200 lbs rating.Even if you had a short 200 lb pole the chances of using it later on is slim.
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 2:14 pm
by Decamouse
I checked before I posted - do have 13' and 13'6" Pacer in 200 - but not in stock - the part number exists - but would be special - not much demand for them
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 4:43 pm
by PVJunkie
Weve made a 13' 195 before in the Skypole and a 13' 200 in a Pacer. However I would agree that the liklyhood of success is slim. I always had to use a different approach with the big guys (converting to decathaletes) and it usually involved gripping low on poles below their wt. Of couse that was at the college level where the wt rule does not apply. Of couse the learn to be a pole vaulter not a pole bender goes great for those big guys cause it takes so long to get on a pole that they CAN bend AND be legal.