Youth javelin

A youth javelin comprising:

• a tip, a shaft, a handle and a tail, the youth javelin having a length in the range of 135 cm to 148 cm, a weight in the range of 240 g and 265 g, a balance point in the range of 57 cm and 60 cm measured from the tip, and a weight-to-surface-area ratio in the range of 0.2000 g/cm2 to 0.2585 g/cm2, the shaft having a diameter in the range of 24 mm to 26 mm and is formed of a molded plastic extrusion having internal longitudinal ridges defining a female splined portion, the tip being formed of a soft plasticized rubber material suitable to protect against impalement but is resilient enough to resist permanent deformation from impacts or deformation in flight due to aerodynamic forces, the tail being formed of a tapered plastic plug with a male splined section to engage the shaft, and the shaft has a measurable deflection across the longitudinal axis in a range of 15 mm to 30 mm when the shaft is supported 43.5 cm on either side of the balance point and subjected to a load of substantially 14 lbs. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis substantially at the balance point.