Eligibility
• Entrants must be 14 years or older.
• Entrants must use their legal names to apply. Stage names will be permitted on the day.
General Rules
• The entry fee is £30 per singles application and £40 per doubles application. Videos do not need to be submitted at the same time as the application. Videos submitted at a later date should be emailed to lincspolechamps@aol.co.uk. Please only send links, no media files. No refunds are available for withdrawn entries.
• Video applications must be filmed within 12 months from the application deadline. Videos should be no more than 12 months old. Applications close on 13th November at midnight. You can submit your application form and video separately. Finalists will be announced on the 18th December 2023.
• Video links must be emailed to lincspolechamps@aol.co.uk Videos may be submitted by Vimeo, or YouTube, please ensure your video is not set to private.
• The rules are the same for the video entries and the final, except for video length – see below.
• The Scores of the finalists will be published, the scores of the final will be published as we work to complete transparency.
• Entrants must not be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol on the day of competition.
• Entrants must warm up appropriately prior to competition and be fit to perform; if not fit to perform the entrant will be asked to resign.
• Entrants must enter a category appropriate to their level of ability. If the judges feel a competitor has entered a category not matching their ability, 10 points will be deducted from the total score.
• Where available previous winners must enter the next category up, i.e Intermediate winner must enter Advanced, Advanced winner must enter Advanced Expert.
• Entrants may join the audience at any time during the competition.
• Dressing areas are for entrants, chaperones and staff only; no family or friends may be admitted. Chaperones are limited to one per person, and all chaperones must have a ticket.
• Entrants must be available before and after the competition if requested for photos and interviews.
• In the event of any equipment malfunction, please behave in a professional manner. Judges will be made aware of any such occurrence in order that it may be considered when judging.
• The competitor and their guests must behave in a professional and respectful manner. Discrimination and offensive behaviour will not be tolerated. The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any competitor they believe to be acting disrespectfully or discriminate against any person present at the event. We also reserve the right to remove any member of the audience who acts disrespectfully or discriminatory towards other competitors, judges or any other persons involved. The organisers decision is final.
• Competitors across all gender identities and of any age, religion, race, sexuality and disability are welcome to apply. Entrants may contact us in advance about making adjustments on the day (or regarding the video round) regarding accommodations they may need for disability/health conditions.
Wardrobe
• No nudity is permitted. Appropriate attire is defined as a minimum of a bra (may be mesh with pasties) and a thong. In the event of a genuine wardrobe malfunction, we will stop the music and ask you to perform again at the end of the category.
• Removal of clothing is allowed. We recommend tape on tiny costumes.
• All grips aids must be approved prior to competition and may only be used on the body; gloves are permitted, ankle grippers are not permitted.
• Poles are cleaned with Vodka and you may bring Dry Hands to tack the pole.
• No moisturizers, bronzers, fake tanners, or lotions may be worn; these can cause excess slippage and/or injury to yourself and others.
• No Logos or sponsorship branding is allowed on costumes.
• Footwear Requirements
• Heels may be worn in all categories.
• Unacceptable costuming includes:
• Rings, metal bracelets, or any other accessories that can damage the poles.
Performance Guidelines
• Back up dancers are allowed on stage, please pre – advise us.
• Entrants must adhere to the guidelines and restrictions set in the individual category guidelines; no exceptions will be made prior to or on the day of competition.
• The competitor must not perform tricks outside of their capability.
• Music. Offensive and discriminatory material must be avoided. Excessive profanity may be restricted. When in doubt contact the organiser. The “N word” should be bleeped out in all instances, with the exception of music used by Black competitors.
• All songs must be submitted for approval by 23rd February 2024. Please supply an MP3/MP4 format via email.
• Minimum & Maximum song lengths are: Beginner, 3:00 – 3:30, Intermediate and Advanced 3:00-4:00, Professional is 3:30-4:30. ALL VIDEO ENTRIES SHOULD BE A MAXIMUM OF 3:30. Longer videos can be submitted, but will only be watched and judged up to 3:30. You may submit a video from a previous event but please consider lighting, clarity and angles.
• There is no exclusion of any style of performer, you may perform any genre.
• Props are allowed but must be set up and removed within 2 minutes as we have a strict time schedule.
Disqualification
• Entrants are strictly forbidden to discuss matters of judging with the judges before or during the competition, failure to adhere to this rule may result in disqualification.
• Failure to conduct yourself in a professional manner, or allowing or encouraging disrespectful or discriminatory behaviour from your guests may also result in your disqualification.
Category Specific Rules
Please be aware that Professional means paid in any way, as a pole performer or instructor or assistant instructor.
Please DO NOT push the difficulty boundaries in any category. If you are in any doubt that a move may be performed in your category, you MUST contact the organisers.
• Beginner Category: TOP 5 GO THROUGH
• Not open to professional pole dancers, open to students at beginner level with 2 years or less experience OR a written letter from your instructor confirming your level.
• Permitted moves are spins, climbs, layouts, cross knee release, headstands and forearm stands.
• Inverts to basic crucifix only may be permitted. No other inverted tricks are permitted.
• You should only enter this category if you have not previously been placed 1st, 2nd in a beginner category.
• Intermediate Amateur & Experienced. TOP 5 GO THROUGH
• IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN IN A COMPETITION BEFORE – ENTER “AMATEUR”
• IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN A COMPETITION BEFORE – ENTER “EXPERIENCED”
• Not open to professional pole dancers.
• Air inverts may be performed with either a safe exit or transition.
• Allowed: Single arms only tricks, basic splits tricks (Jade). Open Allegra, basic shoulder mounts from the floor and shoulder dismounts, basic ball drop. & ballerina.
• Excluded: Handsprings, flips, contortion tricks such as contortion Scorpio.
• Combinations of inverted arms only tricks are excluded, Single inverted arms only i.e. Aysha OR straight edge are acceptable. Please do not link these moves, if you can do this, enter advanced!
• Marks will be given partially for overall performance and partially for difficulty as well as execution. Please see the document – Judging criteria for more information on scoring.
• Please ensure that you are able to perform a move proficiently, i.e. if you are having trouble executing it or getting into or out of it comfortably, don’t perform it!
• Advanced & Advanced Expert. TOP 5 GO THROUGH
• IF YOU HAVE NOT WON AN ADVANCED CATEGORY AT ANY COMPETITION, PLEASE ENTER ADVANCED
• IF YOU HAVE WON THE ADVANCED CATEGORY, IN ANY COMPETITION, PLEASE ENTER ADVANCED EXPERT.
• Not open to professional pole dancers.
• There are no restrictions on moves.
• Marks will be given for all tricks, transitions, and floor work as well as overall performance. Please see document – judging criteria for more information on scoring.
• Professional Amateur, Experienced & Expert TOP 5 GO THROUGH
• IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN IN A COMPETITION, SINCE BECOMING AN INSTRUCTOR/PRO – ENTER “AMATEUR”
• IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN A COMPETITION BEFORE AS AN INSTRUCTOR/PRO – ENTER “EXPERIENCED”
• IF YOU HAVE WON THE PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY, IN ANY COMPETITION, OR PLACED 1ST . 2ND OR 3RD AT A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION – SUCH AS MPD OR UKPPC ENTER “EXPERT”
• Open to professional dancers and instructors only.
• There are no restrictions on moves.
• Marks will be given for all criteria listed for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced competitors as well as for choreography, entertainment level/audience interaction, aesthetics, and imagination. See the document – Judging criteria for more information on scoring.
• Marks will be DEDUCTED for poor execution of tricks, i.e. bad alignment and positioning, lack of strength required, performing tricks too advanced for the individual, etc.
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• Doubles Open –TOP 5 GO THROUGH
• Open to mixed ability polers of any level.
• Should include doubles tricks as well as synchronised choreography.
• There are no restrictions on moves.
• Spinning pole is not compulsory. Static pole is compulsory, you can choose 1 spin & 1 static or both static. It is your responsibility to ensure the stage hands know how your poles should be set up.
• Marks will be given for all tricks, transitions, and floor work as well as overall performance. Synchronization, entertainment, audience interaction, fluidity and proficiency will also be marked. Please see the document – judging criteria for more information on scoring.
We will be using 45mm rigged X-poles.
Each category will need at least 3 confirmed and paid for entries to go ahead.