Competing Questions

Vala · 2012-01-30T12:00:38+00:00

Someone new to the community is considering competing in pole after a background in karate. They are looking for advice on good starter competitions, what to expect, and whether their experience level

Vala started this discussion · 1/30/2012

Hello everyone! First I would like to say how excited I am to be a part of this pole community. Everyone is so helpful and polite. I live in Birmingham, Alabama. We have no pole competitions held here. However, many bordering states do. I would like to look into competing. I am an instructor, so I do gain profit from pole performing. Because of this I know I will need to compete on a professional level. This does make me a little nerves given that I have never competed in pole fitness. I have done karate competitions but it has been years. So here are my questions for anyone who can help me out. 1) What competition would be a good 'starter' competition? 2) What to expect at a competition? 3) Any other comments or things I should know or expect? 4) Will the professional level be too challenging for someone with my experience (3 years of poling) but no competing experience?

4 replies

chemgoddess1 · 1/30/2012
The only advice I can give you is to seriously look into the competition that you are entering. There have been so many people who after competing were very upset in how judging was done. Make sure that you read and agree with every part of the contract. Areas that will be judges/scored should be written. As for "professional" that all depends on the comp. You are not considered professional in USPDF until you have placed in one of the regional or the finals. The mIdwest comp just has rules that rookies cannot invert in their routine. It does not matter if you can, you just could not during the comp. Do some searching around the forum. There is lots of really good info on comps and what to expect. There are so many other options of getting your name out there without competing so be sure this is something you really want to do. Showcases can be just as much fun without all of the stress.
RoxyPink · 2/1/2012
YOu also need to consider what organization is holding the competition. Different organizations expect different things. Are you all tricks or are you a well rounded dancer (flexability, tricks, dance etc..). That would have a lot to do with which competition to try to enter. Most comps require you to submit a video and then you would have to be selected in order to compete. There are some comps popping up (Miss GA, SC, TX etc) that pretty much let everyone compete. As Chemgoddess said, there are people who have been upset about judging...not everyone can win/place etc so there will always be people who are unhappy and think the judging is skewed. Competing is NOT for everyone. I competed in figure skating for 17 yrs and pole competions are totally different than skating competitions. Good luck if you decide to compete!
Vala · 2/3/2012
Thanks a lot. You both have been helpful...I think the best thing to do 1st would be just to go and check one out before jumping right in. :) Thanks again
teelee · 2/4/2012
I'm in Chattanooga and have been looking for any comps in the southern region. The Ms Pole TN will be done for the first time in Memphis. Other than that I think Atlanta had some comps. There's not alot in this region overall.