A junior slalom race pole on a 16 mm shaft — the right diameter for a young racer, who does not need and cannot swing an adult 18 mm pole.
- 16 mm aluminium alloy shaft
- Junior racing grips with nylon straps
- Mini racing baskets
- Steel tips
Why a narrower shaft for juniors: diameter buys stiffness, and stiffness is only useful if the athlete can load the pole. A junior on an adult shaft gets extra swing weight with no benefit. 16 mm is light enough to handle and still strong enough for gate contact.
Mini baskets are the detail people miss. A full-size basket on a junior pole drags in soft snow and gets caught in gates; a mini basket stays out of the way.
Sizing: grip the pole under the basket, upside down, tip on the floor — you want roughly a right angle at the elbow. Juniors usually move up a size every season or two, so buy the correct length rather than something to grow into. An oversized pole teaches a bad pole plant.
Slalom means hitting gates, so add pole guards. See all slalom poles.
