PoleVaultPower.com

So i just got a 15' 150 UCS Spirit. It's a little stiffer than my 14' 150 spirit. My questions is: Is the only way to break it in by chasing the bend or is there another way? I have been chasing and it seems to be loosening up for me.

Poles do not get softer with more use, you are probably just getting faster and your technique is getting better. There is no "breaking in" of poles, only a "breaking in" of the vaulter.

Check out this chart: http://www.skyjumpers.com/articles/pvpr ... table.html

A 15'150 is going to feel approximately 20 pounds stiffer than a 14'150.

Becca is absolutly correct here.

But if you do hit the bar going thru, just be sure to jump off the pit before it comes down so you won't get a scratch!

Sorry, I just couldn't pass up on a opportunity to dispel another common vaulting rule myth.
Becca is still correct on "breaking" in a pole, and you would still get that scratch . . .