Pole Vault in Paradise Draws Elite Athletes to Higgs Beach

Pole Vault in Paradise returned to Higgs Beach for a seventh annual meet that combined elite competition, community access, and fundraising for Key West High School. The two-day, free-to-watch expo, held January 8, drew amateur athletes alongside national-level competitors, including USA Indoor medalists and Olympians, to vault over the sandpit that has become the event's signature feature.

Since its debut in 2019, the meet has positioned itself as the first outdoor pole vault competition of the season and has consistently attracted high-caliber talent. The sandpit at Higgs Beach creates a distinctive setting that has hosted record-setting performances, giving local spectators a rare opportunity to see elite vaulted heights in a public, beachfront environment. For residents and visitors, the spectacle blends athleticism with tourism appeal, increasing foot traffic near the beach and showcasing Key West as a venue for nationally notable track and field competition.

Organizers framed the event not only as sport but as a fundraiser. Event founder Steve Haines said the meet is the first outdoor meet of the season and has helped raise significant funds for the Key West High School Track Team. Those funds support the school program's needs, from equipment to travel, supplementing resources that often depend on booster activity and community events rather than steady school-district budgets.

The meet highlights wider policy and institutional questions about funding for extracurricular programs. In Monroe County, small schools frequently rely on community-driven events to bridge gaps in athletic budgets. That reliance raises questions about equity between schools with active booster networks and those without, and it places a premium on civic engagement to sustain student opportunities. Local elected officials and school board members who set budget priorities influence how much of that burden falls to community fundraisers versus public allocation.

At the operational level, the event illustrates cooperation among organizers, the high school athletic department, and local park officials to permit and stage a sporting event on a public beach. For the community, the meet was both a free recreational attraction and a tangible way for residents to invest in local youth athletics. Volunteers, coaches and students who participated reinforced the civic character of the event.

As Pole Vault in Paradise looks toward future editions, organizers and community leaders will face decisions about scaling the meet, continuing beach use, and ensuring that fundraising complements rather than substitutes for stable public support of school programs. For now, the event remains a high-profile example of how local initiative and public space can combine to support student athletics and draw national attention to Monroe County.