Old (but not used) vault poles

[AvariceDemons]

So I was helping my old high school coach go through some storage areas in the school since they are remodeling soon, and we came across a number of old pole vault poles still new in the original tubes and all. Looks like they were bought years ago and never taken out to be used. From a label it look like they have been sitting there for about 8 years, maybe 10.

The question he wanted to know if are they safe to use being that old? My knowledge of fiberglass from college is that it is only really effected by UV rays. Being that these are still in the original containers never exposed to any elements, I would assume they would be perfectly fine to use. But I just wanted to make sure before I or anyone else use them.

Anyone else know anything on this matter? Thanks.

[rainbowgirl28]

Yup, they should be fine! Obviously check them over to make sure they didn't somehow get run over or something while they were in storage.

When I coached at my alma mater HS, our head coach got a great deal from a local sports supplier who had been selling pole vaulting poles. He bought out his remaining inventory for really cheap (I think it was like 8 poles). One of the poles was a Pacer III from the 80s. It was 10'6 long, and we sent it to the factory to get recertified. It is now an awesome 10'6 130.

[AvariceDemons]

Perfect, awesome to hear! I will make sure to look them all over before using them. Of what I saw the first time we went through them quickly I didn't think they were ever opened or anything.