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When was your first pole competition or performance?
If you have done a competition or a performance, how long had you been poling before you did it? What was the setting? Did you feel ready? Or did you just throw caution to the wind and do it anyways? Are you happy you did it? Would you do it again? I would really love to hear about any of your experiences, good or bad.
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18 Replies
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I had been poling for less than a year when I did my first competition. I really wasn’t expecting to get in. It was a regional competition and you had to send a video to get in – I think I’d been poling maybe 9 months or so when I applied? I didn’t score well, I believe I placed a few points away from dead last lol. So no, I don’t really think I was “ready”, but it was a great learning experience for me, I met some awesome people, and overall I am very glad I did it. It was awesome to share my dance for an audience and be on stage and I couldn’t wait to do it again. I’d guess almost no one feels “ready” the first time they perform or compete because it’s a new experience, but it’s very rewarding!
Just make sure that if you choose to do a competition for the first time, go in knowing it will be much higher stress… try not to worry about scoring, just focus on bringing out the best in yourself rather than winning or impressing the judges. Same advice applies to a performance – it’s never going to be perfect, so just focus on sharing your awesomeness with the world. Either way, performance or competition, you’re putting yourself out on the stage which is a huge accomplishment in itself! If you’re considering it, I would encourage you to do so because it’s so much fun, a huge adrenaline rush, and great for pushing yourself in ways you normally wouldn’t. Hope that helps!
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It definitely does! Thank you so much for the response!
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My first performance was at a showcase in Toronto Ontario. At the first tpdfs in 2008. I had been poling for 2 years or so I believe. Was I “ready”, no not really. I didnt practice enough, forgot part of my routine (but kept moving so you cant really tell), but I really enjoyed myself. It was a great rush, and I couldnt wait to do it again. I am performing again at the end of the month and I still dont feel ready but what the heck, I know it will be a blast. I am hoping to see improvement in my performing skills, by which I mean so much more than moves. I want to connect more with the audience and really have more emotion in my dancing. Time will tell.
I recommend you perform if you’re interested, competitions may be high stress, but showcases tend to be very friendly, supportive, and positive. Choose whatever environment you’re comfortable with and give it your all. 🙂 -
Thanks dustbunny 🙂 unfortunately competitions seem to be whats more available in my area…the upcoming comp requires submission of a 2 min video and they only pick 8 people from the amateur division to compete, so it would be slim chances of even getting in. I’ve been keeping an eye open for showcases but no luck just yet…theres a biweekly burlesque show that seems to be most likely candidate, but they rarely have pole as part of the show.
is your showcase associated with a pole studio? if not, how did you find out about it and get involved?
thank you so much for responding. Good luck on your performance!
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I think it depends on when you feel “ready” it’s different for everyone. Some people are ready quickly like only a few months into poling & for some it takes a little longer to feel like they are ready to give a performance or comp at try. Me, for instance, I am just starting to feel
the performance/showcase bug 4 years into my pole journey. When you’re ready believe me you’ll know 🙂 -
For me never! I just pole for me 10000% I have no interest being judged on it or performing for anyone! I put my bits on YouTube but that’s as far as i will go personally!
I find it ‘interesting’ for lack of a better word that a good 90% of pole people want to compete/perform etc…. wonder why that is as you dont get that with other sports. 🙂 -
calipolepixie, i definitely got that little bug, but man, it is intimidating! plus i am NOT good at the dancing part of pole yet…i do ok with some choreography we’ve done in class, but any time i’ve freestyled, i havent been able to get through a song without fumbling or getting distracted. are you comfy with your freestyle since youve been poling for a few years? its 100% what i struggle most with so any freestyle advice is SO welcome. thank you so much for responding 🙂
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Megsmith. Im curious why you would say you dont get that with other sports. Most if not all team sports have tournaments or play-offs. Which is essentially the same as being judged or ranked. And many teams require you to try out before you can even be on the team. Performing is also a big part of individual sports such as dancing or gymnastics. Some of these are VERY competitive worlds, Dance Moms comes to mind. Even martial arts have competitions and showcases. Even recreational league sports usually compete at the end of the season. 🙂
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Megsmith, while you might not want to perform or compete out in showcases and competitions, i think posting on youtube is a form of performing. Youtube is performing for the entire internet. In my opinions Dirdy Birdy performs all the time, but she is almost exclusively a youtube poler. I also cant think of a single sport where performing or competing in a public forum isn’t common. Even bowling and pool is broadcasted on TV. Crossfit has huge competitions, even zumba!
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Me free styling on youtube documenting my on progress was just for me. Little did i know I would end up with over 13000 subs (12,000 there hoping I flash my foo foo but thats not the point). I personally dont seebit as performing as it the little snippets from a practice in my bedroom is very different to being on a stage etc and having a full routine choreographed..
Yes every sport has comps of somekind of cops but I have seen people ask a again and again And again what poles do comps use when they have been to one class. … you dont get that with other sports. Just wondered why and where the drive comes from. I didnt say there was anything wrong with it at all so no need to get defensive I just interested in the physiology of it. I love watching pole comps. Sat there may of time trying to stream them with a bad Internet connection. -
Essentially, I think a lot of people want to perform and compete for similar reasons someone puts pictures and videos up. They put a lot of hard work into what they do and want to share it. Also they get to meet people who are just as enthusiastic about pole as they are. Its a beautiful sport and a beautiful community and its just another way to take part in it.
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Thanks I was just interested to what drives people to want to do it. Im clearly ‘missing’ that drive probley why I asked 🙂 like many people swim or go jogging just for them and also the gym and having a mad dance at a club or in there kitchen. … thats how I see my pole a little fun just for me. But I oddly prefer watching the comps etc.
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I don’t mean to be defensive, the phrasing of your first comment came off as a little condescending. I think its great you are documenting your progress and I am not meaning to take away from that. Dirdy Birdy did the same and it really helped a lot of polers on their journeys.
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I do see how it could have been construed like when reading it back that but it was really was not made with that intention. On refection i could have worked it like “Im clearly ‘missing’ that drive to want to compete etc what makes so many of you want to do it?” Same thing but sounds a bit nicer – im too blunt for forums 🙂
Who knows i have only been polling 8 months few years down the line i may feel 100% different but at the mo you would get me on a stage but only kicking and screaming 😀 -
I’ve never competed, and I think the biggest reason is that I’ve not been willing to “destroy” joyful training with having to make up a routine that has to be in a certain way in order to please the judges (because it is a comp after all). And then repeat it and repeat it until it’s polished enough.
But if you are fine with going in for such a task for the positive sides of it, then why not? I’m not a fan of occupying myself with negative thoughts about things that may not even happen, but when it comes to such a things as a competition I would anyway think through how I would handle a worst case incident. If you fall off the pole and get so shocked or hurt that you have to get off the stage, how will you handle it emotionally afterwards? Or just if you get really disappointed, either with yourself because you weren’t able to bring out what you wanted to bring out during those minutes on stage, or with the judges. Like for example you did a routine and felt awsome about it, but then for some reason recieve low scores. Those are things that I would definitely think through if I was considering entering a comp. I’ve seen where people have been disappointed, without mayor incidents, just disappointed, and stopped poling. Don’t let that happen.
Regarding posting pole videos on youtube (I’ve been doing it for years), I agree that this is also performing (even though it maybe took me a while to realize it). Not if you’re posting like a 20 seconds clip doing a couple of tricks, but if you’re working with longer sequences, freestyles or just make a nice looking video out of it, then it will be percieved as a performance. Dirdy Birdy was a good example. Internet is creating new possibilities as always!
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