I'd like to know whether you have a glamour
category and if you could provide a few details on the competition conditions
there--Are high heels, other accessories such as hats and feathers, and body
painting allowed? - Wall Street Journal USA
With the constant evolution of pole
dance for sport and fitness we at Miss Pole Dance UK Organisation creating the
world’s first documented rules and regulations, judging standards, chaperone
standards, health and safety standards and code of pole practice for
performance - Promoting and setting the guidelines here in the UK
and rapidly being adopted and adapted across the world, depending on specific cultural backgrounds, beliefs and ethics, since the beginning of
competitive pole competitions in 2004 we have always given the performer a
choice on how they might like to interpret their style, based on
their training and background
In the first few years we focused very much on giving the
performer a choice
Bare feet or dance heels (shoes)
Boots above the ankle, with or
without a heel, have never been permitted in our competitions after year one
when we exposed the 'strippers' pole talents, from behind the closed doors of
the gentleman's clubs.
Thigh high boots commonly made with
patent plastic were banned and have never been permitted as they give a
performer an advantage in gripping the steel poles, making tricks difficult to
judge fairly, plus also a stereotypical costume of strippers which
would be worn in stripping establishments which we were focused on moving away
from, exposing these talented individuals into main stream viewing
Up until 2012 we had always had a
fitness category and a glamour category
Both categories would perform and
dance in the same competition side by side - creating an us and them scenario. Interestingly
the glamour style (heels) seemed to win over the fitness style (bare feet) for
many years. But is this now changing?
We had created a platform, a safe
stage, where they could dance side by side allowing freedom of choice for the
performer without the fear of being mis represented or judged
They would be introduced on
to stage 'labelled' one or the other category giving them a comfortable choice
on how they wish to be presented to their family, friends and onlookers all being educated and enlightened with the talents before them
In 2005 the Miss Pole Dance UK
creation - it was all glamour - all performers were either wearing
high platform heels or boots over the ankles
In 2006 we removed boots from the
competition but still allowed platform heels - the dancer shoe.
In 2008 the categories begun to even
out and became 50/50 bare feet / heels, this was also the introduction of pole
fitness teacher training and qualifications in the UK too – a huge step in the
right direction for professionalising and awarding credibility to our industry
In 2012 all-female performers, accept
one were in bare feet
In 2013 we are still allowing heels
and bare feet but I think the statistics are showing the performers
are deciding they can achieve more intricate moves and better lines in bare
feet and still represent powerful glamour, sex appeal and femininity (all promoted within MPD UK)
Tricks and new intricate combinations
are evolving on and around the pole too, many that could not be performed in
shoes safely
Many gymnastic, incredibly flexible
and acro balance moves and shapes are now appearing into the modern circus
style pole performances and competitions
Our strict rulings are updated
and amended yearly and were created to professionalise and promote pole
dance and artistic fitness demonstrations around the vertical beam as an
artistic dance, art and fitness form set to music of their choice (avoiding
religious and or rude messages within the music).
We currently allow the performers and
athletes to still choose their performing footwear and costumes within our
strict guidelines, as long as they are safe to perform in.
The experienced and highly trained and prepared judges
have the power to stop a performance at any time on the grounds of health and
safety and this has happened occasionally throughout the 9 years of
our competitions
Our Miss Pole Dance Organisation's
main focus, has always been on the health and safety issues of the performers
and their pole equipment (fixing poles top and bottom to a sturdy structure)
and many costume guidelines and decisions are based on this health
and safety attribute.
As for body paint, costumes and
props many of these items could be considered dangerous when they come into
contact with the pole, and the professional performers do seem to be careful
with their choices as many of the tricks cannot be performed in body paint or
restrictive clothing and costumes. That is why we allow
costume removal during the performances but not stripping; (alluring
the audience in a sexual and suggestive manner!)
We are very much focused on
the performance and showmanship of the routine allowing them to tell
their story through dance choreography and their artistic interpretation
through movement.
This years MPD UK held within a theatre setting on 15th September, we will see incredible performers which will include bodypaint, contortionists, gymnasts, fitness
experts, dance experts, costumes, props, heels, bare feet, mixed sex doubles, men and women
over 16, the eldest performer being 46
and each year they continually raise
the bar with their mesmerising performances and breath taking promotion of what
the modern pole dance performance, fitness and endurance around the vertical
beam is all about.
For more information about being a part of this positive promotion visit www.misspoledance-uk.com
Kay Penney
Founder Pole Passion Ltd
founder and creator of Miss Pole
Dance Organisation 2004
Creation of Mr Pole Fitness UK 2009
and creator of World Pole Sport &
Fitness 2009
promoting the ambitious and talented
www.misspoledance-uk.com
www.mrpolefitness.com
www.worldpoledance.com
