Pole Vaulting in Thailand

By Megan Zimlich Houston

Pole vaulting can take you to new places, provide you with incredible experiences, and connect you to even better people. The Vaulthouse crew had our first international trip together this past December to compete in the Golden Fly Series in Phuket, Thailand!

The Golden Fly Series is making waves, thanks to Austrian meet director, Armin Margreiter, who brings spectacular elite sports to the public around the world, including Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Brazil, and most recently, Thailand for the first time. This series combines men and women long jumpers and pole vaulters on one runway with long jump going one direction and pole vault going the other, alternating between the two for each jump.

Luckily for us - my husband, Scott Houston, our teammate, Austin Miller, and I were able to hop on tour and be a part of the Thailand exhibition. Through this incredible meet opportunity, I lived a dream of mine to pole vault in another country!

After forty-six hours of travel and six negative Covid-19 tests collectively, we and our poles made it all the way from North Carolina to Phuket. Our friend, Olympian Matt Ludwig, met us at the D.C. airport to join us for our trip around the world. I was thankful to travel with a group of pole vault- ers for both the company and experience with international pole travel. Transporting poles is not always the most convenient. Thankfully, Qatar Airlines delivered our poles there and back on our scheduled flights.

Upon arrival, we had to quarantine until receiving the results of our negative Covid tests. We used the time to catch up on some needed rest. Our hotel had beautiful views of pools and tropical plants and was located right across the street from the pole vault/long jump runway, which sat on a street alongside the beach. Different street vendors and local shops were just a few steps away.

The Thai local organizer, Nutsuda, did a phenomenal job of welcoming us in and going above and beyond for the entire week. I cannot express my gratitude enough for being a part of such a memorable life experience that will forever be cherished!

We had a few extra days before and after the competition where we explored Thailand to the fullest as a big group. We ate delicious Thai food, visited beautiful beaches, cruised to a national park on Koh Hong Island, hiked up to the Phucket Big Buddha, and got Thai massages. This pole vault trip turned into one giant adventure where we also got to know the other athletes who we competed with, including men and women pole vaulters and long jumpers from the U.S., Russia, Great Britain, Malaysia, Ukraine, Philippines, Greece, and Thailand.

The competition itself had a big turnout for spectators since it was promoted so well. The raised runway was set up on the street alongside the beautiful Patong beach, where spectators lined both sides of the rails to watch and cheer. The Prime Minister of Sport even made an appearance to the event where our very own, Austin Miller won the men’s competition with a mark of 5.70m, just 3 centimeters shy of his lifetime best. Olympian Holly Bradshaw from Great Britain won on the women’s side with a mark of 4.51m.

Thailand was absolutely stunning and the people with whom we shared the experience is what truly made the trip so much more fun. Competing at the elite level, you get to know the different competitors and become pretty good friends with them over time, especially through opportunities like these. This trip was a really cool way to explore another country with old and new friends. It is both inspiring and motivating to continue jumping better and gaining more unique travel adventures.

On to the next trip!

Photo of Megan, Austin, and Scott provided by Megan Zimlich.