I woke up this morning with a surprise waiting for me in my inbox, an entry form for the APD Championships 2010!
You'll probably know this competition better by its former name, the Australian Pole Dance Championships. This year the APD founders have opened up the competition to the entire Asia Pacific (a list of the eligible countries can be found on the APD website) after numerous requests from overseas pole dancers to enter. Personally, I think it would have been better if the former title was kept, and the new competition was held for the winners of the country championships, but maybe that's just me trying to make the odds better for Australia. ;)
The change in name also raises the question as to whether the title holders of the APDC 2009 are able to compete this year for the new Asia Pacific title. I've yet to put this issue to APD representatives but as soon as I found out, as your trusty Agent Pole!, I'll be sure to keep you up to date!
The APD Championships is Australia's second and latest national pole competition. It was created with the objective to provide a transparent and unbiased competition, and to cater for the transformation of pole dancing, which has seen new styles evolve such as circus pole (don't confuse this style of pole with Chinese Pole despite it being the main source of inspiration). This is also the first pole competition which provides a forum for the increasingly growing number of male pole dancers to compete! Fear not ladies, you won't have to compete against the inherent strength of men, they have their own Freestyle Pole Men's division, that is unless your competing in the Open Pairs division. Last year, this division saw both men and women pole dancers compete against each other for the first time, and ladies I'm happy to say that we came out on top with SQPS instructors, Stacey and Zahra Stardust, taking out the title!
A change in name isn't the only change that's been made as the APD founders continue to teak this competition, which sees 2010 only the second time it's held. Again, the location of the competition has changed, which will remain as a changing feautre of the competition with the motivation to provide a fair and accessible competition. A few changes have also been made to the former Pure Pole division, the gymnastics styled competition for pole trixters. This division basically judges competitiors on their pole skills, tricks and technique, hence in 2009 the genre for music was set, competitiors were only allowed to wear a conversative black outfit and were prohibited from wearing stripper shoes. This year all remains the same except there is no longer an imposed set genre for music, it only needs to be instrumental, and name of the title. This division will be now known as Classic Pole, which again raises the issue of whether last year's title holder, Bailey from Pol-arise, will be able to compete. One change I hope that is made next year, is the addition to the now one static pole that competitors compete on, is a second spinning pole with a required spin combination to be judged.
The final major changes to the championships are the heats and finals process. Last year heats were held in Melbourne a day or two before the finals. This year, in response to a survey carried out by the APD, entrants will be able to submit a video entry for the heats with the finals to be held in Brisbane on the 28th of August.
The APD Championships is focused on providing a fair competition and I think the founders achieved this last year. With the changes made to this years' competition, not only will it be fair but it will also be more accessible. However, the most advantageous features of the APD Championships are the occasion to network and meet fellow pole dancers across the Asia Pacific, and the opportunity to take part in seminars and developmental workshops.
For more details on the APD Championships 2010 visit http://www.australianpoledance.com/
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