PoleVaultPower.com

Hey Guys and Gals. I got an email from F40 Maine super vaulter Pam Swan today saying that she thought that between the colleges and clubs that she thought there may be poles for rent at Nationals in Maine. I know when I jumped in the Maine State Games I borrowed poles and there was a real good selection. Since Portland and Bangor are so small it may make some sense. I sure plan on renting.

I'm sure we will hear more about it at Boston and then when I go to Maine for vacation in June. I know it's long ahead of time but it's a good time to plan. Take care. Bubba

Thanks for the heads up Bubba. It sure would make traveling simpler without a pole tube! I'll have to see what size poles I'm on come meet time, then check on availability.

- master

The guy I know there, Paul Snyder, has a bunch of 13’ 7s and he has 1450-80, all UCS. Small world – I saw him at the 2005 Maine Games and it turned out we already new each other. He was a decathlete at Utah State and had jumped at UC Irvine many times when I was there. He used to hang out with our crazy vaulters on his trips there. Cool guy!

Pam says both colleges also have many poles. Bubba.

I guess it's time to revisit this since we just left Boston and Bangor, Maine is a much smaller airport. There will be poles available there and I will know more when I go on my annual vacation to Maine in June.

BUT - I shipped my poles to Boston rather than hassle with the plane. I did this through my coach and pole dealer of Lone Star Pole Vault, Kris Allison, who has a commercial account that has an oversize waiver. The poles were picked up and delivered to Boston in just under 24 hours (2nd day delivery) and are on their way home today. It cost me $72.50 each way plus a small surcharge to pay for Kris's efforts. Continental wants $80 and I have to get them to the airport, stadium, back to airport, home, etc. I will only ship poles from now on, especially with his discount rate and size waiver.

The catch? None actually - you need to go direct through Kris (kris@lonestarpv.com) and he can't get you a quote or on the schedule until three weeks out. With his surcharge it will be cheaper than you can get as a private citizen or even a commercial shipper who doesn’t have the oversize waiver.

NEED POLES? He also guarantees to beat any listed price. Bubba

Kris hooked me up with a 14' 175 and a 14' 180, both UCS, and a pole bag at a fantastic price!

I'm going on our annual vacation to Maine at the end of June and its only 120 miles from Orono so I'll check out the updates. I'm jumping in the Maine Games (as a guest) again too. I was told by a few very credible sources there will be many poles available for rent/donation. Bubba

For those of you who have made your travel arrangements to Orono, are any of you bringing your poles with you on an airline? If so, which airline? Are the planes that fly into Portland, ME, large enough to carry pole tubes? I know that US Airways has this statement in their baggage policy:

Vaulting poles cannot be transported on US Airways Express.

- master

I've had the same problem with Continental. I'm shipping mine through Kris Allison of Lone Star PV in San Marcos, TX. He's also my coach but he has a commercial shipping account for poles. He charges a small surcharge on top of the actual shipping fee but it is hassle free and dependable. In Boston my poles where confirmed arrived at the venue before I even left and home the day after I returned. He’s also shipping my training partner’s poles to Italy. I’ll never take mine on the plane again. Contact him at kris@lonestarpv.com

Another option – I started this thread about using poles already in Maine. Thursday I go there for my annual vacation and will jump in the Maine Games on Saturday as a guest. At that point I’ll be able to have some more definitive info about what poles are available for rent. I did that in Hawaii for 2005 Nationals at it was great.

Another possibility is that Jeff Watry from Gill maybe brining poles like he did for Charlotte and Boston. He’s on PVP so I’m sure he’ll jump in. Take care. Bubba

I am looking forward to hearing what you find out about available poles. If poles will be available for rent I will make the trip from Tucson for the meet.

Oh ya, have a nice trip.

look at my stash on my website under equipment and I'd bring what ever someone could use........ I'll be bringing my stash of shorter essx's 180 thru 200...... anything else I may have in there one could use...

OK - I went to the Maine Games today and spoke with my buddy, Paul Snyder who has a PV club in the area. I know Paul from his days at Utah State when they used to come to UC Irvine and SoCal each year. He had a ton of poles with him today from 11'rs all the way through big 14's – all very nice UCS Spirits. He has been kind enough to offer his poles for use at the National Masters meet.

With that said, Paul is a super nice guy and a very good vaulter who will be too shy to ask you for money. My suggestion would be to contact Paul at vaultage28@hotmail.com and let him know you are interested in using poles and give him a range of what you might need. If it works out PLEASE offer some type of donation for his efforts. His wife and athletes will appreciate it – LOL!! As mentioned, when I went to Hawaii in 2005 I paid like $30 and had access to any pole I wanted to use and it was priceless.

I did not see Pam Swan who had also offered poles but I have heard from Jeff Watry that he will not be bringing poles from Gill this year. Hey Buster – great to see you as always and don’t forget to shoot me an email about poles for Joe Johnston. Hope this helps answer everyone’s questions about poles. Have a good one. Bubba

PS - I didn't jump - hamstring ding 10 days ago.

PS – if you haven’t been to Maine, it’s absolutely beautiful and the people are fantastic. I’m on vacation here right now, as every year. Bubba
http://www.bubbapv.com/Images/Maine-06/Maine06.htm