Posted by ESSX on May 24, 2001 at 14:17:28:
In Reply to: What do I do now? posted by cody on May 22, 2001 at 18:30:25:
First of all in spite of the fact the official was incorrect we need to be respectful. However it is a shame that someone who is supposed to be familiar with the rules has a lot of myth rapped up in their facts. As a result they have wronged an athlete who has worked all year to get to their goal.
There is no excuse for ignorance of the rules for an official and it is important that we all read and understand the rules of the game we all play so hard in everyday!
Just because the same machinery, glass, and resin are used to produce the training poles and the Competition Maxima HS poles is no reason to say they are training poles.
Maxima HS poles are low modulus phenolic fiberglass rods that are measured on the same flex system as high modulus epoxy fiberglass rods.
They are rated the same as other brand poles and if produced before 1995, the coach may place a 1” band at the top 3-6 inch area with tall writing showing the stiffest rating. His signature is accepted as verification that the pole is properly marked in accordance with the Federation rules. If produced after 1996, it is recommended that the owner contact the manufacture to have the proper verification done to safety insure that the pole is properly rated.
If it says Training pole, CPT, Short Run pole, variable flex, short approach pole, Fiberflex, Genesis, or implies to any such notion as too something rated easy to bend than normal poles (Low rated) IT IS A TRAINING POLE AND IS Illegal UNDER STATE HIGH SCHOOL FEDERATION RULES to use to vault period!
If the training pole has been changed or converted to the use of a flex system by an unauthorized person who is not connected to the company who produced the pole,
THE POLE SHOULD BE DESTROYED AND NEVER JUMPED ON.
WARNING!! NO ONE HAS THE LEGAL RIGHT, THE KNOWLEDGE, OR PERMISSION TO ALTER A VAULTING POLE'S RATING OTHER THAN THE MAKER OF THAT POLE.
If you have a pole that has been altered by an individual DO NOT JUMP ON IT and report it to the original manufacturer immediately. Any manufacturer who does authorize the changing of their poles must provide you in writing, written verification of the size pole and the changes made along with verification of the serial number engraved on the pole on their company letterhead. This must be carried with you to meets for verification and to eliminate disqualification due to alterations and changes.
The serial number on the letter and the pole must match.
Bruce Caldwell
ESSXsport Corp.