The First Tape Measure Olympics

[mlah]

Which is a good point. A solid set of rules still needs to be put on paper. Currently the idea is that there will be two main challenges. A horizontal challenge to see how much distance you can get the tape measure to cover and a vertical challenge that would be judged by however many feet of tape is extended. Each challenge would also likely be broken down into two classes a standard class using regulation tape measures and an unlimited class for those who believe that one brand is superior or who are willing to modify them in order to try to improve the distance.

There would also be several other smaller events. One such event would be tape measure races which would involve connecting one end of a 100ft measuring tape and realing it out and having a person on a wheeled chair hold the other end and try to reel themselves in. I am curious as to what other events people can think of.

[Molten]

As a thought on the rules. I can foresee somebody raising it to the max as seen in the pic and slinging down for max distance. There should be something to stop this. Such as, "the angle of the tape measure with respect to the ground must always be less then 45 degrees". Not sure 45 is the right number and the precision would be impossible to measure but it would at least get rid of the obvious outliers.

[Billfred]

Perhaps a sustained period of extension without breaking, without regard for angle? I imagine it's hard to keep even a vertical tape measure from breaking free for a three-count.

[mlah]

Originally Posted by Billfred

Perhaps a sustained period of extension without breaking, without regard for angle? I imagine it's hard to keep even a vertical tape measure from breaking free for a three-count.

That's a good idea, perhaps put bit of weight on the end to add to the challenge.

[ShaneP]

Originally Posted by Billfred

Perhaps a sustained period of extension without breaking, without regard for angle? I imagine it's hard to keep even a vertical tape measure from breaking free for a three-count.

That extension (in the photo) could have been held for a while.

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When getting it up that high, slow and steady is the way to go. Once your up that high, it's not too difficult to hold in place. The hard part is continuing - being able to pull out more tape without disturbing what you are balancing up above. Especially when everyone around you is laughing and making you laugh.

There actually comes a point when you can no longer just let the tape bend away from you. You have to actually counter-balance it, meaning it points towards you and bends over you, before bending away from you. So if this period is my hand/arm ---> . and this is the tape measure ---> ( it would look something like this ---> .( coming toward me first, and then bending away.

[DonRotolo]

Furthest reach horizontally that can be held essentially motionless for 3 seconds.

Note that some brands and styles of tape measure are far superior to others, so to be fair it would have to be all the same tape measure - even different specimens of supposedly identical items have some variability.

[mlah]

That is why there would be the two classes. I think for time purposes we will just have to go with the same brand. Getting a hold of the right number of tape measures could be a problem.