— Story —
↓
LIVE TO VAULT
—
Welcome to TeamPacer. We raise the bar for athletes’ success, pushing the limits with each new pole and evolving our line to elevate every vaulter’s strengths and style.
PACER POLES:
A HISTORY
—
1960
Pacer begins. George Moore started a small track and field company named Pacer.
1963
Browning Sky Pole. Browning Sky Pole’s Hi-Density tubular laminated fiberglass cushioned the impact of the box and caused initial climb to be less abrupt by absorbing momentum. This stored momentum was later released in the form of lift, or power thrust, at the crest of the climb.
1967
Rankin vaulting method. Dave Rankin, sponsored by Harry Gill Company, developed the first uniform procedure for determining correct hand-holds based on the vaulter's weight and normal sag of his fiberglass pole. Computers were used to establish all the measurements. The Rankin Method helps eliminate broken poles, muscle strains, and awkward landings. A year later the method proves successful.
1968
Cata-Pole. The finest fiberglass vaulting pole available at the time, the Cata-Pole. A pole had the ability to bend the required distance and return the thrust thus stored in the pole rapidly and consistently. Every model of Cata-Pole dod this job equally well.
1972
Cata-Pole 550+ Designed for the real champion. This pole was intended for the vaulter with the high hand grip. The extra six inches of length was the plus needed for those higher hand grips. Its longer and stronger and faster reacting. This was the pole for that “special” vaulter.
1973
Black Cata-Pole. This model Cata-Pole raised the world record to 18’-1/4”. The Standard Cata-Pole was available in a complete range of sizes. Available in twelve, fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen foot lengths, in weight classifications from 110 thru 195 pounds.
Cata-Pole G.A.M. For beginner vaulters, this twelve foot training pole was easier to bend and smaller in diameter than the standard Cata-Pole. The GAM poles were ideal for learning the fundamentals. They were strong enough to take the rough treatment of beginners.
1975
Pacer III (First pole to feature spiral inner wrap). Designed and manufactured by the master of fiberglass poles, Herb Jenks the Pacer III was engineered to bring out the top potential of the novice vaulter. It could withstand the rigorous record setting pace of the world class vaulters. It was lighter in weight and rugged in design and was faster reacting due to a new and unique method of wrapping.
1987
Pacer joins GILL Athletics. Moves to Urbana, IL
1992/93
Pacer. Pacer Poles were made from state-of-the-art materials using a unique patented spiral wrapping technique. This gave the pole more “hoop strength” to help the pole retain its shape when it bent and gave the pole a fast return. This enabled the vaulter to get the most out of each vault.
Pacer Carbon. Pure Energy in its truest form. This pole was the ultimate in vaulting pole technology. Years of research went into developing the lightest and most powerful pole on the market. A special combination of fiberglass and carbon made the Pacer Carbon 20% lighter than any pole made.
Pacer Technique. The Pacer Technique pole was a state of the art training tool. The Gill Sports Research and Development team had designed the poles to reach similar to a competition pole but with the advantages of a training pole. A vaulter can take a number of vaults from a short run without the intensity it takes for a competition pole from a long run.
1995
Ms. Stic Women's Vaulting Pole. Gill introduced a pole specially designed for the needs of the female vaulter. The Ms. Stic was designed for an easier bend and less stress at the plant. The Ms. Stic featureed a range of smaller lengths and weights which are unavailable in the standard Pacer and Skypole lines.
1998
BestFlex Tech. BestFlex System ensures the most accurate flex rating available for the easiest transition between poles. Before using any pole, consult the BestFlex rating chart which accompanies poles from Gill Track and Field to determine if the pole is suitable for use.
2000
Pacer Novice. The Pacer Novice Pole was guaranteed to build confidence in the novice to intermediate vaulter. This unique pole gave a slower, smoother vault facilitating the development of proper technique. Great for competition or practice.
Pacer Ms. Stic Carbon. The Ms. Stic Carbon was designed to meet the demands of the advanced female vaulter. The integration of fiberglass and carbon fiber resulted in a pole that was lighter, faster, and had a smaller grip than any other women’s pole.
2002
CarbonFX. The CarbonFX was the world’s one and only carbon fiber pole. A special integration of S-type fiberglass and carbon fiber produced a pole that was lighter, has a smaller grip and provides a bit more “horsepower” than conventional poles.
PacerFX. The PacerFX featured the same construction and performance characteristics as the CarbonFX but without the carbon fiber. The revolutionary design of the PacerFX facilitated optimal harmony between pole and vaulter. All else being equal, the PacerFX will produce higher clearance.
Pacer Mystic. America’s #1 women’s pole got a redesign. The Ms. Stic became the Pacer Mystic. It was engineered for the female vaulter and features the smallest possible grip diameter and a lower sail piece to accommodate the needs of women vaulters. An increased prebend makes learning to bend the pole less threatening.
Carbon Mystic. The Carbon Mystic, formally known as the Pacer Ms. Stic Carbon, was designed for advanced female vaulters. The integration of fiberglass and carbon fiber resulted in a pole that is lighter, faster, and has a small grip than any other women’s pole.
2009
Carbon Weave. The Weave™ series vaulting poles were the result of three years of worldwide field-testing and analysis at our state of the art manufacturing center. The Weave™ design gives vaulters a more forgiving pole at take-off. Designed to roll to vertical more efficiently, the Weave™ provides the vaulter with an easier synchronization to the unbending of the pole during the later stages of the vault.
2011
New CarbonFX. Designed for the advanced vaulter, the new Pacer CarbonFX pole incorporated the latest carbon material to produce the world’s lightest and strongest vaulting pole. Lighter poles equal faster runway speeds. Put more speed in your vault today! New Carbon Mystic. Designed for the smaller advanced vaulter, the Carbon Mystic pole incorporated the same state of the art technology as the CarbonFX pole, but with a smaller grip diameter.
2015
Pacer One. The Pacer One is a versatile, economical pole for every vaulter. The design “slows down” the bend allowing more time to rotate into vertical position.
2017
Pacer FXV. Gill’s flagship pole is made from an S-fiberglass and is designed to be a consistent through the series pole. This creates a smooth transition for a vaulter moving from one pole to the next. It performs well for all styles of jumpers.
One Year Warranty offered on EVERY Pacer pole.
2019
Pacer Composite (New! T2 Fiber). The Pacer Composite blends proprietary T2-Fiber with Carbon Fiber and light weight S-Glass to create the next generation pole design for the advanced and technical vaulter. It utilizes Pacer FXV technology to match the length and flex needs of Pacer poles. It achieves a lighter carry weight, increased tensile strength and superior energy return