Views of the Neighborhood – Pole Vaulting

~ John W. Howell

Yes, the headline is correct. Every year Port Aransas host a major pole vaulting event. Pole vaulters come from all over Texas to spend two days here testing their skills. The event draws college athletes as well as Olympic team members. The whole idea is for the students and athletes to get together and participate in some wholesome, friendly rivalry. This event took place yesterday, and I was certainly glad I went. I hope you enjoy it.

This first photo gives you an idea of the track and the contestants lining up. Also, you can see the number of poles at the ready

Pole Vaulting in Port Aransas

Here is a shot of one of the two tracks being used. This also gives you an idea of the spectator base.

This shot was interesting to me since it shows how high the bar is in relation to the size of the athlete. She is just talking off.

Here is a different athlete going over the bar

And then the long way down.

In this shot, you can see a contestant getting ready for her vault.

Pole Vaulting in Port Aransas

This young person is an Olympian.

Her starting run shows how every muscle in her body becomes employed.

Here is a shot of the bar.

On the second track, the bar was a little lower. Here an athlete makes it over

Back to the big bar. Here is an athlete who gets tangled in the bar. It is designed, so the athlete does not get tangled.

Of course, the Hot Dog Lady would not miss this event.

I like this next shot because it shows the pole vaulting equivalent to the soccer mom. It takes a trailer to cart those poles.

I love this shot since it shows all these young people getting ready to vault. You can never doubt the future with a picture like this showing their interest.

Here is a final shot of the venue which is one of Port Aransas’ parks

***

By the time you read this, I will be on my way overseas. If my response is delayed it is because I have run into a WiFi dead spot. Otherwise, I will have pretty good connections today.

52 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – Pole Vaulting”

  5. You don’t see a pole vaulting contest in every town, I’ll tell you that!! Sounds like a place with a variety of activities, sort of like San Diego.
    [I think HGTV even did a ‘House Hunters’ or two in your city?]

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  6. This was fun to see through your eyes. I was struck by the strength of the athletes – and their wonderful youth. 🙂

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  7. Thanks for the tour of this cool event, John. It must be fun to see them go up and over. Great photos and commentary.

    I hope you’re on your way to a safe journey and an enjoyable vacation. This is a well-deserved break.

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  11. Bon Voyage, John – safe travels! Hope your vacation is restful and memorable. Thanks for the great pole vaulting shots.

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  14. These are great shots, John. If I were their age again, I don’t think I could ever get over that pole. Your community always seems to have such interesting events going on. Thanks for sharing! Safe travels!

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  15. Wow… that really was unexpected for the View of the Neighborhood. I always look forward to our Sunday strolls. Looking at the height of the bar and poles made my tummy do a somersault.
    Again, safe journey my friend. Hugs.

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  18. I wonder how Port Aransas came up with the idea of sponsoring a pole vaulting contest. Interesting.

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    1. I asked some of the coaches and apparently, a couple of people interested in pole vaulting organized it many years ago to give their team members some healthy competition. One said it has been going for twenty years. Like most things on the island, it has an ad hoc kind of history. Thanks for the question, Nichole.

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