Vaulting Pole Tips

From vaulting in high school on a vaulting pole made of bamboo, to the modern fiberglass or carbon fiber vaulting poles of today Bud Held has seen the event of pole vaulting evolve over his many years of jumping. At the young age of 80, Bud Held set the world record in his age class of 80-84 on August 7^th in Spokane Washington. On his third and final attempt he cleared the record height of 8 feet, 81/4 inches. Although Bud Held downplays his achievement, feeling that senior athletes everywhere are doing extraordinary things, his goal for the future is to vault 10 feet.

“I was relieved I finally got over that thing,” said Held. “I was having a bad day. I just couldn’t get it together. My legs were tired and weak. I forced myself to do it and finally got over the darn thing.”

Not only does Bud Held hold the record for pole vaulting in his age class he also has set world records in the javelin, and the high jump.

Nadine O’Connor, Bud’s 66 year old partner, also holds the world record for women’s pole vaulting in two age groups, with her personal best of 10 feet, 3 inches. O’Connor did not even take up the sport of pole vaulting until she was in her late 50’s.

Pole vaulting is challenging for anyone, but imagine doing it with a body that typically rebels at that age when doing every day performances. It is challenging to deal with the fear factor, training schedules, and the everyday aches and pains associated with the sport and age, but the ultimate challenge came by way of finding a place to practice.

Training at UCSD for years near their home near San Diego, California, Held and O’Connor were forced to find another venue when the campus closed the pole vaulting facility to the public. They tried to find a local high school to practice in but the liability risk was too great for the schools to consider their request.

Undaunted, Held and O’Connor solved the problem by purchasing a piece of property in their area and building a 100-foot runway and 3 foot deep pit in the backyard to practice in. Held also purchased a never-used set of foam pits from a high school in Saugus that had never needed to use them.

What are Bud Held’s plans for his future in pole vaulting? Besides helping O’Connor set more records he plans on focusing his energy on his private athletic goals. Don Pellman of Santa Clara, California is 93 years old and had cleared 6 feet in a pole vault when he was 90.

“When I bought this place, I figured why not vault another 10 years. If Pellman’s doing it, why can’t I?” declared Held.

Way to go Bud Held and Nadine O’Connor, you are both a couple of “Golden” medal vaulters!

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