too many competitions!!!

amy started this discussion · 9/1/2010

help me keep them straight! these are the ones that i know about coming up this year in the US, and what i know about them: USPDF 2010 east coast- must be selected as a finalist by Wendy Traskos and Anna Gundstrum of NYPD/USPDF. Competition has compulsory (shoes, required elements) and optional rounds. must be able to do splits. winner competes in USPDF national competition in march of 2011. must be a member of USPDF to enter. USPDF 2010 west coast- must be selected as a finalist by Wendy Traskos and Anna Gundstrum of NYPD/USPDF. Competition has compulsory (shoes, required elements) and optional rounds. must be able to do splits. winner competes in USPDF national competition in march of 2011. must be a member of USPDF to enter. Miss Georgia Pole dance- organized by House of Pole + Moses Carroll healthcare. judges are not set yet. winners selected for best stage performance, best strength, uniqueness, technique. Miss Texas Pole Star- hosted by Vertical Fitness Dallas and The Girls Room. 3 different categories: amateur, fitness (level 4 and above??), and pole star (heels required, teachers can only compete in this category), with different elements required of each. Miss Pole Florida- hosted by Vertical in Tallahassee Florida, Pantera is judging. All levels welcome, showmanship a priority. florida residents only. Polesque- hosted by Kyra Johannsen of Body & Pole. Emphasis is on showmanship. East Meets West Polarity- Pole Drama- organized/judged by michula nuez (antix fitness) and samantha jones (e-fit). emphasis on the artistic portion of the performance. The competitors should use the choreography to express their interpretation of their song. endorsed by PFA. East Meets West Polarity- Trixpert- organized/judged by michula nuez (antix fitness) and samantha jones (e-fit). a fitness exhibition, with the dancer performing feats of strength and flexibility, in controlled and unique ways, with fluid transitions. endorsed by PFA. Battle of the Pole dance Studios- organized by Luayne Brown. 10 studios from MD area competing for best studio. California Pole Dance Championship- contestants already selected. Organized by Anjel Dust. Felix Cane and others performing. American Pole Fitness Championships- organized by Tinu Naija, no pole associations or background, who also started APFA. celebrity judges (dominic lacasse, prana, allegra, kt coates). Pole Dance USA National Competition- organized by Philip Deal, judged by BadAzz. 3 rounds of competition, entry fee, criteria are not set. ....did i miss any? i'm not personally interested in entering "fitness" pole competitions, where the emphasis is on tricks, but i've found that it's tough to know what the judges will be looking for when the requirements are more nebulous and less specific. i've been a little overwhelmed with all the competitions springing up and i'm honestly doubtful about the intentions of some of the organizers. i'm seeing websites that look like they aren't very well organized or informational and as a possible competitor, that really turns me off. paying an entry fee, or not knowing what judges are really looking for, is off-putting as well. what do you all think of all these? competitions are springing up all over the place. which ones are you entering, and why? what determines which ones you will go to watch?

19 replies

Mary Ellyn · 9/1/2010
(Cautiously follows Amy into the deep water) 😂 Well, personally I don't care for competitions. I don't like the "me" concept and the stress of a competition - I much prefer the "us" concept and the less stressful atmosphere if a show. That said, I totally understand that that is NOT how many people feel and completely respect that others LOVE a good competition. I would still consider a competition which I felt was appropriate or fun for me for some reason. I love to watch and follow the competitions. And I am strongly considering hosting a competition next summer for the Midwest. The interesting post started by Alethea on Facebook the other day lead to a lot of insight and opinions. Unfortunately ...we don't yet have the answers. Yes...there are too many comps. No offense to anyone but here is my personal feelings about it. 1.How many "world" or "US" champs can we have? I think new comps need to have new concepts or at least new titles. Some of the comps seem to be in competition with other comps!!! 2. Everyone wants regulations and guidelines. But who is willing to develop them? In most organizations it's a non-profit group that develops these. Partly because there is no money to be made and it's an unppreciated job. So we have the PFA and the Olympic committee working on regulations to get it started but when it comes down to it, no one can force any new group to follow these guidelines. 3. Profit. I doubt very much that anyone is making a profit - or at least a huge profit off any competitions. Competitions are HUGE expenses. My guess is that many of the new comp developer think they are going to make money but I doubt that they will. 4. WHY are there so many comps? My opinion is because WE as a community have encouraged it. Dancers flock to compete. Announce a competition and people are flooding your with their interest before they even know who you are or what you're guidelines are. From there, as schools, we've created stardom for the winners of competitions. Win a competition and you'll have fame and travel and make a fortune off of teaching workshops...another myth by the way! Just ask our national champs...are any of them wealthy from the travels and workshops? Not all great performers are also great teachers. In fact, you can be a "champion" and not have a clue on how to teach effectively. But as a community we have raised the desire for many to enter comps in the hopes that they will be in high demand because as soon as someone wins a comp, schools are clammoring to recruit them for workshops. In answer to Alethea's question in her post my suggestions are: 1. Support the organization and GET INVOLVED with those who are trying to develop guidelines and regulations 2. Ask questions and begin to demand more information prior to entering comps. We as a community need to determine the questions someone should raise - just as we have helped new students investigate "how do I choose a good pole dancing school"...so should we help competitors "choose a good competition" For example, the following questions may be asked: 1. Is there a venue established for the competition and what is the layout 2. What poles are being used 3. Who is managing this competition? What is their reputation and history in the pole community? 4. Who is backing this event? 5. Who is consulting in this event? ( safety, licensing, sponsors, etc) 6. What are the requiremnts for applicant's? 7. What are the requirements for performance? What skill level? What divisions? 8. How will judging be scored? 9. WHO are the judges? 10. What, if any, is the cost of competing if you are chosen? 11. Who is determining preliminary status and how are competitors chosen? 12. What, if any, are the prizes? 13. What, if any, are the requirements and expectations for the winner in the following days/weeks/months/year from the competition? 14. Is the event licensed? 15. Is the event insured? Most of these I feel need to be in place BEFORE an event is even announced. I'm certain there are many more questions you guys can add to the list, especially those who have competed already. 🫡
Charley · 9/1/2010
As someone interested in competing and going to a competition - I did ask those questions and really thought about whether or not I wanted to compete in the comps I submitted for. EMW Pole-Am I submitted did not get in but Igot great feedback and it was a good experience to push myself in ways I had not before. Even thought I didn't get in, I was proud of the way I danced that day. I also have a lot of respect for Michula and knew she had run a comp previously so I felt like it would be a well organized event. I also submitted for EMW East Coast both divisions and sent in the wrong type of videos but again they were solid videos and I was proud of how far I had come in just a couple of weeks. Again I got great feedback from Sam which ultimately lead me to USPDF. I wasn't sure if I was ready for USPDF but I do very much support the USPDF and consider them the creme de la creme of pole competitions. The USPDF is very clear on what they expect from applicants and finalists. I've met Wendy and taken a class with her and have the highest regards for her as a teacher and competition organizer. I feel that all of the USPDF comps have been well run and organized so I felt comfortable with the idea of getting in - if I did. I did - now back to working on those darned splits. I think competition is good when it's in a healthy environment. Competition gives us something to work towards and an inspiration to push ourselves higher. I don't think you can have too many competitions because there are so many different things to be judged in pole dancing however it's very important to run them well and let competitors know what is expected of them. What they are being judged on. Ultimately comps shold distinguish themselves from one another with their titles, I agree how many national pole champs can we have? Let's creat diversity because pole is diverse. Another thing I would like to see more of is Showcases, let's enjoy one anohter in a non competitive environement too. Let's let everyone of all skill level have a go at performing. I enjoy putting together non competitive events and showing off new people and advanced together on the same poles and cheering each other on.
amy · 9/1/2010
😂 yes this is deep water! but i think it's a good starting poitn for a discussion that is hopefully civil, informational, and exploratory. i think that we as participants in a new movement have a lot of opportunity to shape the world that is springing up around us and discussion is critical for that! mary ellyn, i think you raise a really interesting point. people who pole really seem to want recognition. that's not a bad thing, but i think you're right: that's one of the reasons why there are so many competitions. i didn't read alethea's status earlier but i just did, and so funny! it's so relevant. glad to know that i'm not the only one feeling this way. i dont think that being a recognized poler necessarily means that you have the business acumen to organize a good competition, and it doesn't mean that you are a good teacher either. i think that it's important to remember that although USPDF was first, it is essentially run by one studio in NYC (as one commenter on alethea's status mentions) and while that isn't a bad thing, i think that in the strictest sense, it is a conflict of interest. in terms of long term success, i think that it's important that the governing and judging bodies of competitions prove themselves to be unbiased in choosing contestants and winners. charley, i completely agree with you that i would like to see more showcases in general and more opportunities for people to exhibit their skills and styles in a less competitive setting. i see a lot of people who comment on the facebook pages of the various competitions asking about how advacned you need to be to enter. it seems like there are a lot of intermediate/advanced polers who are not "national competition level" tricks-wise, who still want to have some kind of forum for publicity and competition with their peers.
amcut · 9/2/2010
I think the big ones are what's really shocking. And I think they've cropped up because everyone wants to do it better than Wendy and Anna. Heheh. Which, while they may, they will never look as good doing it. Wahahahahha. I dunno. There was a lot of malcontent and grumbling after last year, and everyone seemed to be saying, "I'd do it this way", and here they are.. doing it their way. It's good to have options and lots of sports have their different league types. So.. eventually the smoke will clear. This is the evolution of pole. There's always some mini-pole pageant like the georgia or texas ones going on. I don't think those matter. Poleapalooza was one you could always count on.. I think Jenyne won like 700 years in a row. Sponsorship for events seems to be getting easier so it's kind of encouraging for people to start these minicomps.
CurvyDiva · 9/2/2010
@Amycut...you literally took the words out of my mouth!!!! I don't typically post my comments especially when I think they might be construed as negative but I completely agree with you!
Mary Ellyn · 9/2/2010
Which, while they may, they will never look as good doing it. ... .. I think Jenyne won like 700 years in a row.... LMAO!!! I agree the smaller ones are all great to hold. Not everyone can travel nor do they care to compete nationally and may be more inclined to compete against a smaller pool of dancers. Personally I just happen to think there are too many. I also don't think there is anything wrong with "one school" hosting a national if in fact it's done fairly, safely and professionally. If someone else comes along and does as good or a better job then good for them. IF it's done as well or better. I think that checking guidelines before you enter is important...safety, legitimacy, expectations, etc are all things that have created problems at competitions in the past. I'm with Charley...we need more showcases too! We have pole dancers ALL OVER the US but how many pole shows can you go to? They are few and REALLY far between!
minicoopergrl · 9/2/2010
As someone who is putting together an event and being a compeitior. I totally see where it all comes from. I also commented on Alethea's status. Do your research, there should be an open line of communication between the organizer and those particpating in it. Ask for forms, ask everything you can when you think about it. You should also see how long they have been in the pole world. When I sent my emails for both judging and for compeitiors, I was sure to mention a brief blurb about me in pole and referenced my YT site (which I know isnt alot of creditbility but im giving them what I have) along with the studio I currently attend. That way if they wanted to check any type of credentials I may have I gave them the opportunity to do thier own search. When I got the idea for the battle, I thought about whats currently out there as a comp. Yes we love seeing other folks doing what were doing but there arent many group comps and some instructors who love performing dont really get a chance to perform. Thats where the idea hit me. I wanted to see more group performances. Im thinking for next year for the battle opening up the rules by allowing groups who are clients at that studio perform and represent that studio. Im a former competitive cheerleader and my sister was a competitive softball player. I thought about all the work we did and the behind the scenes work that was needed to be done to get into these events. In both of those each group/individual (sometimes there were solo cheerleaders who competed in thier own catagory), they had to pay an entrance fee. This was typically packed into the price to play the sport from the organization we were playing for. I never saw that done on a pole competition and didnt find it fair to charge people to compete, so I threw that out. I also talked to a few folks before I decided I wanted to do it. I emailed Jessalynn who put together PoleCon and she was very helpful in steering me in the right direction. I knew I wasnt going to go anywhere without a date and location, that held me back for a few weeks until I got ahold of the folks at Mist. From there I would spends many nights doing emails after emails. Ive lost alot of sleep working on this event, but its all for a good cause. I love the little competitions, they kinda remind me of local pagents. Also you can put those on your pole resume! Its a great resource to find those who are local and cant really afford to travel. That 90% of the time can hold someone back from competing. I also love the big time comps too, its the best of the best going for it. The best thing is you can get feedback from them all and get good notes from them. I totally agree about having more showcases! I love what Charley put together and how shes coming back with another on. Makes me think about trying to host one in my area(my plate is full enough currently, its like a buffet style plate LOL). Its almost like seeing a local band from time to time! As for having too many comps - IMO I think we should have more local/regional comps and few national comps. As previously mentioned, some folks really didnt like the way USPDF is being ran so they started thier own. I do believe we should have a standard set of rules for these comps no matter who is running it.
Charley · 9/2/2010
I think we forgot ipdfa and the world's I think it's great there are so many choices popping up for dancers to compete. I think it gives new people a chance a to get out there. The problem with many local competitions - I don't mean studio affiliated comps - but local comps is that many of them are rigged. I was told that in the local comp I was in it was between me and another girl and we were supposed to have a trick off/dance off but they picked someone else and had a booty shake off and the girl who was no where near in points actually won. We have comps put on by radio stations but again they have called in people they know to be in the comp and really no matter how good you are, you aren't going to win. I think/hope studio based pole comps are going to be much more fair. As far as national comps I thought EMW did it perfectly - they had different categories and judged different criteria.
anngiern · 9/2/2010
: i see a lot of people who comment on the facebook pages of the various competitions asking about how advacned you need to be to enter. it seems like there are a lot of intermediate/advanced polers who are not "national competition level" tricks-wise, who still want to have some kind of forum for publicity and competition with their peers. yes this bothers me amy........i totally agree..i have met so many talented pole dancers who are just not able to do the extremely hard tricks but they are excellent performers. i have some girls who just cant invert right at this moment but boy can they put on a show with the floorwork, spins, etc.. they can do. i would personally like to see a competition of that sort. many people shy away when they see the difficulty which sucks 🙁 or if the organizers dont emphasize that the competition is about showmanship and being a good entertainer. IMO..i am getting a little overwhelmed by all the new competitions...its hard to steer your students in the right direction for which one to apply to....but i think pole dancing is just going thru a huge growth spurt right now...so just going to have to wait it out and see..part of the growing process
Mary Ellyn · 9/2/2010
Just a little "preview" ...the Midwest competition will hold a novice division! We are working hard to define novice and make this something that will encourage students who are new and aren't yet trixters to join in!
Mindy4pole · 9/3/2010
I just love seeing this emerge!!! 🤸 I've seen the teaching/competion system in another dance form, and it is great to see it happening in pole! The web makes it happen so fast! I totallly agree that having local competitions is a fun thing. See my blog for my long rant on my personal experience. 😀 Here's some things I would love to see in a competition -- an improv portion where the performer doesn't know what music they will be performing to. I think it would really show off who has skills. Also, do big pole jams put on like dances in conjunction with the event. Especially in large competions, the people with similar skill levels will migrate together. And who could resist the lure of watching say -- Amber and Jenyne jam together. I really hope that the social side of comps will grow! Mindy
minicoopergrl · 9/3/2010
Here's some things I would love to see in a competition -- an improv portion where the performer doesn't know what music they will be performing to. I think it would really show off who has skills. Also, do big pole jams put on like dances in conjunction with the event. Especially in large competions, the people with similar skill levels will migrate together. And who could resist the lure of watching say -- Amber and Jenyne jam together. I really hope that the social side of comps will grow! Mindy I love the improv idea thats really cool! Thats one thing I like about the Ms Xpose comp. We have 2 different pole catagories - Pole Princess and Pole Diva. PP is NO INVERTS, and PD is inverts. You only have to invert once during the routine. We also have a floor/chair catagory as well, obviously no pole involved. I think this was discussed either here or on a Vertical Dance board that Wendy and Anna were possibly thinking of expanding the catagories to include a level for no inverts and things like that. With USPDF being new, they may add this later on as it grows.
2010Raven · 10/4/2010
Look at the bright side. At least these are real pole competitions where people get to come and watch some spectacular performances. That's way better than wasting time at crappy events where the girls don't do anything impressive and the winner is based on who collected the most funny money instead of having true skills.
tracee · 10/5/2010
IMPROV, Brilliant Pole Performance idea! When I was a teen, I entered an improv category of a dance competition (I think the genre was jazz) - it was quite an experience! I stood on stage and they played a random piece of music, 60 seconds long, for your once to hear. Then they gave u a few moments to collect your ideas, then you performed to that piece of music. It was really invigorating for me as a performer because I had no idea what to expect and I was def on my toes! I think it's good to be a little jolted!
JenLFG · 10/5/2010
😁 i actually have entered to MGPDC as an amateur, this will be my first ever competition! i read through the stuff on alethea's FB & i felt like everything with the MGPDC was all good! although this is the first year they are putting this on so there isn't much to go on really, but all the info they have sent out has been very detailed (clothing & shoe requirements, what the judges are looking for, the layout of the poles & details about them &&& so on) & it is at a nice pole studio so i'm assuming the know about pole safety & have the proper insurance... although i didn't even think to check on that part until now 😕 i entered because it's somewhat close to my home so i can go without having travel far & it was free to enter, i just want to see what it's all about 😀 i'm really looking forward to it & very nervous at the same time. like i said i've never done anything like this.
keex · 10/5/2010
i think that it's important to remember that although USPDF was first, it is essentially run by one studio in NYC (as one commenter on alethea's status mentions) and while that isn't a bad thing, i think that in the strictest sense, it is a conflict of interest. in terms of long term success, i think that it's important that the governing and judging bodies of competitions prove themselves to be unbiased in choosing contestants and winners. I have to correct this. The USPDF and New York Pole Dancing are separate entities. Anna and Wendy are business partners that created and Co-Founded the USPDF together. Wendy is the sole proprietor of New York Pole Dancing which she opened a couple of years before USPDF was even conceived. If the USPDF was biased in terms of picking winners, instructors from NYPD would be USPDF title holders. In fact, none of them is a title-holder.
amy · 10/5/2010
i think that it's important to remember that although USPDF was first, it is essentially run by one studio in NYC (as one commenter on alethea's status mentions) and while that isn't a bad thing, i think that in the strictest sense, it is a conflict of interest. in terms of long term success, i think that it's important that the governing and judging bodies of competitions prove themselves to be unbiased in choosing contestants and winners. I have to correct this. The USPDF and New York Pole Dancing are separate entities. Anna and Wendy are business partners that created and Co-Founded the USPDF together. Wendy is the sole proprietor of New York Pole Dancing which she opened a couple of years before USPDF was even conceived. If the USPDF was biased in terms of picking winners, instructors from NYPD would be USPDF title holders. In fact, none of them is a title-holder. keex, isn't anna a teacher at NYPD? whether or not NYPD teachers or students are title holders, there is a potential for bias-- we're all human. whether or not they have been biased in the past isn't something that i meant to imply or talk about. if USPDF had chosen unwarranted winners simply because they were teachers at NYPD, then i believe that people would stop entering the competitions in the face of clear and unreasonable bias. a truly unbiased federation of pole dancers, in my opinion, would ideally consist of people from many different studios, and philosophies of pole dance.
Mindy4pole · 10/6/2010
i'm really looking forward to it & very nervous at the same time. like i said i've never done anything like this. LOL! I was half sick at my stomach for three days before my MTPS performance! 😨 But you know, by the time I danced, it was just like "can we go ahead and get this done??" Here's my advice -- take some food with you for after you compete. We ended up at the club for MANY hours with nothing except water. I was so excited when I won my division, but mostly I was just starving!! GOOD LUCK!!!! You are already a winner for having the guts to do it! Mindy
JenLFG · 10/6/2010
aww! thanks Mindy 😀