This is the August 2014 Downey High School Edition of VAULTER Magazine on the cover and Renaud Lavillenie Record Breaking Edition on the back cover. Most sought after print magazine for The Pole VAULTER and pole vaulting fan. Now you have the unfair advantage in pole vault!

It is now August - time to start thinking about the end of summer. Once again, a fresh start is underway; especially for athletes, coaches, and students. Whatever you have been up to, we hope this summer has been full of fun. We are happy to say that this month’s issue has a very intimate theme. It is full of even more personal stories and insight you are sure to enjoy.

We know for sure one person, whom we all have come to love and respect, has had an eventful summer: Bubba Sparks. This month Bubba has written some fun-to-read reviews on two events he attended this summer: the Masters Pole Vault Symposium/Meet and the Grand Haven Beach Vault. Bubba shares in his article that, after a stressful summer last year, he wanted to make this summer all about having fun. From what we can see, mission accomplished. We know you will thoroughly enjoy hearing about his experience.

Penny Hanson has taken more time this month to answer some basic questions we might have regarding college. The answers to these questions will undoubtedly help our college-bound readers. If this is you, please take a look at this article. You won’t be sorry.

Our article on Don Isett is inspirational to all. After not picking up a pole for years, Isett went back to vaulting after his 66^th birthday - he hadn’t pole vaulted since high school. Currently, at 74, Isett is breaking records and showing us all that age is just a number, and doesn’t have to be a state of mind. This story is sure to give you a motivational boost to get going this fall.

Another very exciting piece we have for you is our cover story which features an inside look at Renaud Lavillenie’s training at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. Lavillenie was good enough to let us have a look and answer some questions. We are so grateful that this elite vaulter took this time for us, and we know you will be too once you read about this experience. Do not miss it.

As we get into a new pole vaulting season, more fun is sure to be had. Of course this means more stories for you to enjoy. As always, thank you again for sticking with us. We will see you in September as we start to move into fall and another great vaulting season. Take care!