The Vaulting Pages

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Men's

Pole Vault World Record

6.15 M, Sergei Bubka, Ukraine

Highest Jump of the Year (2001)

6.05 M, Dmitri Markov, Australia

Pole Vault World Junior Record

5.80 M, Maksim Tarasov, URS [Bronze Medalist, 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia]

Pole Vault Outdoor American Record

6.02 M, Jeff Hartwig, USA

Pole Vault Outdoor Collegiate Record

5.98 M, Lawrence Johnson, USA [Silver Medalist, 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia]

Outdoor High School Record

5.55 M, Eric Eschbach, USA

Women's

Pole Vault World Record

4.81 M, Stacy Dragila, USA

Highest Jump of the Year (2001)

4.81 M, Stacy Dragila, USA

Pole Vault World Junior Record

4.45 M, Yelena Isinbayeva, RUS

Pole Vault Outdoor American Record

4.81 M, Stacy Dragila, USA

Pole Vault Collegiate Record

4.36 M, Melissa Price, USA

Pole Vault Outdoor American Record

4.04 M, Tracy O'Hara, USA

Many vaulters are faced with a critical decision as they reach higher and higher heights: switch to carbon poles, or stay with fiberglass poles. Indeed, nearly all vaulters today begin vaulting on fiberglass poles, but many are curious about newer carbon poles. The truth is, both fiberglass and carbon poles each have their respective strengths and weaknesses.

Fiberglass vaulting poles are still the norm today in most levels of vaulting. They are easier to begin on, and many vaulters find that they are so used to the feel and rhythm of the vault using fiberglass poles that they are extremely reluctant to move to carbon poles. Vaulters such as Nick Hysong, 2000 Olympic champion, and Lawrence Johnson, silver medalist at the olympics, still use fiberglass vaulting poles. The critical difference in carbon poles that makes people love or hate them is this: they store considerably more energy than fiberglass poles, but they recoil so quickly that many find it hard to swing hard and fast enough to get on top of the bend in order to facilitate a good vault. Many find that by the time they have rocked all the way back, carbon poles have already unloaded and thus the vault is ruined. A great, fast swing is required in order to use carbon poles effectively. Many world class athletes have become disenfranchised because of this fact.

BOTTOM LINE: Stay with fiberglass poles, unless your name is Jeff Hartwig or you have a really great swing.

Should vaulters be forced to wear helmets?

Recently, the Pole Vault world was shocked at the deaths of some vaulters around the country due to injuries that they sustained in vaulting accidents. You can read about it in this USA Today article. After you have done so, please I'd like to share my feelings about the mandatory helmet rules that are being considered around the country.

As a vaulter myself, I have never worn a helmet. I do not wish to do so and will not for one main reason. It is commonly known that helmets and other protective equipment instill a false sense of security into the users of this equipment. Wearing a helmet, one feels less at-risk than without. Vaulters may feel more comfortable moving to bigger, more dangerous poles that they cannot handle, and this may in turn lead to more pole vault injuries. I am of the strong opinion that the pole vault is a very safe event, if one uses common sense and has an idea of one's own limits and level of comfort when it comes to moving to larger poles. I have never been hurt in the pole vault because I am aware of my limitations and abilities, and I have no intentions of "pusing my own limits," so to speak. In other words, I believe that helmets will address a symptom of a problem in pole vaulting, and not its root cause: bad coaching and inexperienced vaulters who are too eager to test their limits. We can solve these problems by encouraging coaches to learn more about the pole vault and to spend more time one-on-one with vaulters. In addition, vaulters should always be conscious of their own capabilities and the risks involved in their sport.

Above are some track spikes, crafted specifically for the pole vault. Some regard these spikes as gimmicks, while others find these to be a critical addition to any vaulter's arsenal. If you're looking for pole vault spikes, make sure to look for these things:

1. a lightweight yet durable shoe

2. a small heel (advanced vaulters will, in fact, land flat on their feet in their run - this running style creates more power in their jump. Therefore, a heel is needed)

3. jump-specific spike plates - usually characterized by a row of spikes towards the ball of the foot complemented by a few others placed towards the toes.

4. comfort! this is obvious but often overlooked.

5. style - personally, i like the nikes. they're sweet.

It's also important to note that many footwear manufacturers create long jump or triple jump spikes with the pole vault in mind, and that these spikes are often nearly identical to pole vault spikes.