training in offseason (Clubs in Ventura?)

[cody28]

hi, i'm new here
i haven't pole vaulted ever, i blame my school for that, considering it's the ONLY school in the county that doesn't do pole vault
since i do think i could be good at it, i want to start in college where they DO have pole vault
my question is, what can i do to train for it, even though i probably can't get my hands on a pole anytime soon
thanks

[rainbowgirl28]

Where do you live? You need to find a club to train with. Most college won't let you start vaulting in college unless you are a decathlete or a really fast kid with a lot of potential. If there aren't any clubs near you now, maybe you can pick a college that is near a club.

[cody28]

i live in santa paula, CA
but i go to school in ventura, CA
i'm going to go to a community college first,
there is a decathlete type club in santa barbera, but i can't go 45 miles every time they have a practice

[rainbowgirl28]

Well just make sure you talk to the community college coaches well in advance to see if they'll let you start pole vaulting in college. Some of the CA JCs have fantastic programs, many have no pole vaulting at all. Your odds of being able to vault are much better at a JC than a 4 year school, but make sure to find out in advance.

[cody28]

alright, that got my hopes up a bit
thanks for answering

[rainbowgirl28]

The best thing you can do this spring (besides actually vaulting) is put up good times/marks in the 100/110H/Long Jump. If a coach thinks you are athletic, they'll be much more willing to take a chance on letting you start at a late age.

[cody28]

although i don't put up great times in the hurdles, i should also add that i'm 5'7
the form is where I shine
i haven't run the 100 in high school, since i'm not a super sprinter, i think i can maybe crack 12, maybe 11.9, maybe 11.8 but i doubt it
long jump i can hit the 18's, which isn't that great, but again, i have form

[rainbowgirl28]

If you're a 5'7 boy, you're going to have a very uphill battle. I moved this to the California forum, maybe someone can help you find a club that is closer.

[cody28]

thanks again

[vaultmd]

You're less than 30 miles from LA Valley College. There's a good club there.

[cody28]

is it a year round club?
although i don't think i could go that far often
I wish the city college i'm going to had a pole vault club, but i don't think they do, considering that i never get answered back when i ask about it

[Barefoot]

The club at LA Valley runs mostly year round. The club is called Lucky Strike Vertical.