The pole stiffness rule mandates safer grips for beginners and inter mediate vaulters. No longer will they be able to achieve high hand holds by merely vaulting on soft poles. The rule will encourage beginners to learn the all-important basics on non-bending or slightly bending poles. This will help eliminate control problems until the vaulter has spent some time in the learning process.
The rule also encourages shorter poles with greater stiffness values which will successfully accommodate more vaulters and in the long run be cheaper for the sport.
Padding hard surfaces around landing pits is just good common sense. Rather than forcing schools to replace existing pads with longer ones, the federation chose a more moderate and less expensive solution. The vast majority of vaulting accidents involve missing the pit on the side or out the back and landing on a hard surface. It is just common sense that these situations need to be remedied. This mandate when coupled with the pole stiffness/ handhold rule provides a much safer environment for high school vaulters.
WOMEN'S VAULTING
The introduction of women's vaulting has been a daring step. Those of us involved in the event were worried that such a bold move might end vaulting altogether in America. In other words, schools would simply eliminate boys' vaulting rather than allow female vaulting. This may still be a possibility in some areas. How ever, since the first states (Oregon and California) approved and implemented it, with subsequent adoption by the National H.S. Federation, the path seems to be clear for the re-
remainder of the country to follow.
Wow! How did it happen so fast? Over the years I had an occasional female attend PV camp. But I never took the cause seriously until 1992 when Erica Haws of Santa Rosa, CA, appeared on the scene. What ensued was a letter writing and phone calling campaign directed by her mother Linda and Eddie Seese of Benicia, CA. That campaign soon stretched from coast to coast. In short order, female vaulters began appearing and organizing. Probably the most important players of all were Margaret Davis of the CIF (California Inter scholastic Federation) and Lynn Can non, USATF women's chair. Both lent considerable cooperation and support early in the project.
Women's vaulting is good for the sport because it will increase participation, satisfy gender equity, make better use of equipment, and, importantly, yield more vaulting coaches. It has raised public consciousness toward vaulting, and will
continue to do so for years to come. The first generation of female
vaulters have been tremendous ambassadors for the event. Track & field needs glamorous, exciting events if it is to compete in the media market place. Women's vaulting is new, different, fresh and simply the most- watched event in track & field.
The women who participate and become successful will undoubtedly have a good mix of brains and brawn. The world and American records will be revised countless times over the next ten years. Ultimately, it will once again prove that athleticism is not necessarily determined by one's gender.
MASTERS ROLE MODELS
Perhaps the most unlikely group to discover vaulting has been the masters. Each year I have seen the numbers in this group grow. One example, Terry Cannon of Santa Barbara, age 57, who has been vaulting only four years, competes on a regular basis on the masters circuit and vaults phenomenal 12'6"! Jerry Cash of Portland, Oregon, only a 14'6" vaulter in college is now jumping 15'8" at 46 years old.
These people seem to be born to-vault-again yuppies who love the camaraderie, the challenge and the excitement excelling at something the normal middle-aged "Joe" can't do. The masters make great role models and excellent coaches. They are very active in the vaulting community. They come from all walks of life and probably contribute more to the positive vaulter spirit than any other group.
NEWSLETTERS AND E-MAIL
Over the years, several vault newsletters have come and gone Most recently, The Pole Vault Standard