School portraits / 1915–2023
At Chapin, the pool noodle can be disqualified
There is a right way to throw it. There is also a line, which rather complicates matters.
I had not expected to hold opinions about competitive pool-noodle throwing. Then I read about a 2023 Chapin gym class: fourth graders in Green and Gold, teachers insisting that enjoyment and strength counted for more than victory, and foam tubes brought out for the occasion. These were noodles with prospects.
The lesson covered stance and how to use your throwing arm. There was technique. One could evidently be bad at this. The children ran up and let fly, keeping behind a boundary: one step too far would rule out the throw. The longest throw scored. The scores were level until a late point settled it.
Chapin's archive suggests the instinct is old. A 1915 photograph shows girls pulling a tug-of-war rope in togas and laurel wreaths, a great deal of costume for a rope. A 1955 Field Day photograph shows a Middle School Cheer Contest, in which cheering for Green and Gold had quite officially become a competition. Even the encouragement had been entered.
I would like to imagine losing gracefully. Congratulations on your noodle. A fine noodle, beautifully thrown. One would hope to mean it, which may be the hardest technique of all.