Happy October everyone! Welcome back to another edition of the XPERT blog, where we sit down once a month to have a little chat about all things pole and aerial. Now, this month I’m talking about one of my most favourite topics – it’s a pole competition, and it’s a big one.
Earlier in the month the iconic Elite Pole Championships took to the Peterborough stage to the delight of the UK pole dance scene. With the competition now in its second year, organised by the wonderful duo Jade and Stacey, this show has secured its spot on the ‘must-attend’ calendar marks for pole dancers everywhere. The premise of EPC (we love a good acronym) is to provide a platform for high level, professional pole dancers to showcase their skills to the world, with categories for Semi Pro, Professional, Elite, Heelography and two very special, invite-only categories: Heelography Idols and Artistic Idols. This year, I truly had an all-access pass to the event, as I not only took notes for this blog throughout, but I also competed in the Heelography category myself
Upon arrival, the excitement in the air was palpable, with stage testing already in full swing. Dancers from every category, from different parts of the UK were warming up and preparing to try out the poles, ready to show the crowd their routines. Watching the tiny snippets of what people had planned for their routines was exciting enough on its own – one of the exciting things about this competition is that everyone brings their unique style.
After being swiftly checked in by the well-organised team, and stage checks finished, it was time for the show to begin. The backstage was buzzing with anticipation, as pole dancers piled into dressing rooms with their props, make up, costumes and snacks. With the running order set, and the doors open for the event, it was time to wait for our time on stage to show that crowd what we are made of.
Meanwhile, the doors of the event opened to excited attendees, as ticket-holders from all over the UK arrived to observe this incredible event. There was a wide array of stalls, selling everything from grips to outfits, pole heels to mindfulness journals. In a world where post-Covid, there was always the risk that live events may have never returned to what they would be, it was so affirming to see such a large crowd for EPC. For me, all the way back to when I was a baby-poler, there really was nothing else quite like watching a live pole show. Seeing your favourite pole dancers showcasing their skills in front of a joyous audience is so inspiring – so if you’re reading this blog and have been looking for your sign to get a ticket to a pole show, do it, it’ll change your pole life!
Each of the competitors who got up on the stage this year were incredible. There was such a variety of performances – some focused on tantalising theatre, others showed us flawless flow, tricksters wow-ed us with their flips and kips, and there was no shortage of moments where the crowd simply went wild. This year’s show was a real testament to the talent within the pole scene at the moment. Every performer had put their heart and soul into their pieces, and the audience supported every performer equally all the way through the show. In the capable compere hands of Bexiita and the backstage team, the show ran flawlessly.
Whilst I was backstage waiting to perform, I had the chance to chat with a few people about their experiences with competing. It was so interesting to hear the perspectives from such a diverse range of performers, and what struck me was that even some of the most seasoned pole dancers I spoke to still get nervous before getting on stage. After speaking with everyone, I’ve come to the conclusion that really, nerves are actually quite a good sign. Ultimately, if you’re feeling nervous, it’s because you care – and caring is a good sign! Any routine, whether it’s for a competition or a showcase stage, you have put the work in. You’ve spent time on it. There have been times where you could have easily just stayed at home and caught up on your favourite TV show, but you chose to be at the studio training instead. Of course you care about this routine, so you should. Feel your feelings, embrace those nerves, turn them into adrenaline and take them with you onto that stage to dance your heart out.
Safe to say, the talent up on the EPC stage this year was next level. In the days that followed the event, there were posts shared to social media from both competitors and spectators discussing how inspired they felt by the show. For me, there’s only one more thing left to say – bring on next year! Entries are already open so if you’re feeling the itch to try your hand on this iconic stage, the time is now.