From Bubba...

The Next Attempt is more than a pole vault film. It's a major testament to the pole vault community and the incredible individuals associated with this event. Over the 14 weeks that I spent filming, I only had to rent a hotel/hostel three nights, meaning that people from all over the world (some previous friends, others people that I just met) opened their doors and welcomed me into their households and lives. Probably the most encouraging thing to come out of this project is a renewed faith that there are a lot of really generous, outgoing, kind and hospitable people situated across the globe.

To all of you that I have met along the path of life, thank you for continuing to inspire and share your lives with me. By no means would this film be possible without you, and for that I am very thankful. To those of you watching, hopefully this will inspire you to pack your bags and go for a walk, whether it be a pole vaulting walk or not, the world awaits and I encourage you to travel and learn from one another. Thank you for watching and keep charging.

Aloha,
Bubba McLean

About the Project:

Spur of the moment decisions often lead to amazing opportunities in life. So was the case with The Next Attempt which plucked me from my steady job on Maui and sent me half way across the world to document the lifestyle of the international track and field athlete. What started as a week-long trip to Austria morphed into a fourteen-week trip through fifteen countries and nineteen time zones.

The film itself is a compilation of adventures had from that summer. Not only does the film show the incredible athleticism of this challenging event, but it also shares firsthand knowledge of some of history's most successful pole vaulters. Whether you are a pole vaulter, avid sports fan, or just someone who is passionate about life, The Next Attempt will give you a glimpse into pole vaulting's adventurous lifestyle, and the array of eccentric individuals that make this sport so unique.

About Bubba McLean

Bubba was born and raised on the island of Maui. At the age of 17, he began attending the University of California Berkeley, and eventually graduated in 2002 with a degree in Political Science. While at Cal he was a two-time All-American in the pole vault and ended his collegiate career with a personal best of 5.50m (18’0.25”). After graduation, he went on an 8-week surf trip with his best friend Chris Smith, and during this time decided to continue pole vaulting. Not knowing how to make this work, he decided to move to Jonesboro Arkansas and train under Earl Bell. While in Arkansas, Bubba increased his personal best to 5.71m and began his international travels as an athlete.

Contact

Bubba Mclean
Email: bubbamclean@aol.com
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