Competitor Information

Everything you need to know

IPC 2013 Competition Information

 

Championship FAQ

1. What is the International Pole Championships?
2. How do I register for the pole dance championship as a national and entrant ?
3. Is there an age limit to participate in the championship?
4. What are the rules for the video entry?
5. Do doubles need to apply separately?
6. What do you mean by ‘Ultimate’, ‘Pole fit’ and ‘Pole art’ champions?
7. Who conducts and where are the Championships held?
8. Are there any guidelines and qualifications requirements for the competitors?
9. How do you select the competitor candidates?
10. Is media part of this event? Are you advertising the Championships for global attention?
11. What are the prizes?
12. Does the jury panel belong to the same industry or any other recognized art or sport platform
13. Can IPDFA board members compete for the Championship?
14. Are there any country restrictions to compete for the Championship?
15. What are the divisions and how are they classed?
16. Does IPDFA sponsor the finalists?
17. Is there a fee to apply?
18. What is it for?
19. Are there any events associated with IPC?
20. Where can I buy tickets to watch?
21. Can I apply to judge IPC?
22. What are the prizes for Pole Idol and Pole Fan winners?

Divisions

The International Pole Championship includes four divisions: Women’s Division, Men’s Division, Doubles Division, Disabled Division and Master`s Division.

• Women – 10
• Men – 6
• Doubles – 6
• Disabled – 3
• Masters – 3

3 additional granted entries to the grand finals are awarded to the Top 3 Pole Idols
Categories (aka Titles)

Women’s Division	Men’s Division	Double’s Division	Disabled Division	Master’s Division
Ultimate Pole Fit Pole Art	Ultimate Pole Fit Pole Art	Ultimate Pole Fit Pole Art	Ultimate	Ultimate

Performers will be competing for the title of ‘Ultimate Pole Champion’ in their respective divisions (For example, Ultimate Men’s Champion, Ultimate Doubles Champions etc). Pole Art and Pole Fit titles will also be awarded in the Men’s and Women’s Divisions.

• Pole Art Champion – the competitor that scores the highest in the Performance Judging  (see below for more judging guidelines)
• Pole Fit Champion – the competitor that scores the highest in the Technical Judging (see below for more judging guidelines)
• Pole Idol – the highest amount of online votes

 

What the Judges are Looking For
ULTIMATE: The Ultimate Pole Champion is an IPC winning title and is awarded to the competitor who demonstrates the highest level of technical skill, strength, flexibility and dynamic movement, along withthe highest level of  performance, fluidity and showmanship.
POLE FIT: Pole Fit Champion is awarded to the competitor who displays the most strength, flexibility, dynamic movement and aerobic endurance through well executed pole dance movements.  Judges will be looking for pole tricks and combinations, which display ahigh degree of difficulty executed with flawless technique, and smooth transitions combined with dance/movement in an entertaining routine.
POLE ART: Pole Art Champion is awarded to the competitor who performs a routine that displays great artistic expression, through their movement to music, musicality, showmanship, interpretation of their song and creative choreography. This competitor is still expected to show a high level of skill and technique on the pole but the scoring will be weighted towards the performance side of their routine.
Pole Idol: Pole Idol Winner is the competitor who generates the highest number of online votes across all divisions. Voting is open to the public. The Top 3 Pole Idols will each be given a granted entry to the grand finals, with the 1^st place winner also having their flights to the competition paid for by IPDFA.
Awards
In addition to the titles presented to the winners in each division, the following industry awards will also be presented at the IPC world finals.

• 2013 IPDFA POLE INDUSTRY AWARD
• 2013 IPDFA STUDIO OF THE YEAR
• 2013 IPDFA INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
• 2013 IPDFA CHOREOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
• 2013 IPDFA POLE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR

How To Enter

Semi-Finals
The Semi-Finals are conducted by video. There are two ways to gain entry to the semi-finals: 1) through granted entry and 2) through video entry. See below for more details.
Granted Entry – National Competition Winners
Anyone who has won a national competition or higher is eligible to submit their video and application online. The competition they won must be registered with or endorsed by IPDFA. The competition may submit their online to enable their champion to take their place in the semi-finals. If you would like the winner of your competition to be awarded a Granted Entry place to the semi-finals please see the section “How do competitions earn granted semi-final entry for their winners?”, below, for more information.
Wild Card Entry
IPC reserves the right to invite, at their discretion, up to five elite level pole performers from around the world, as granted entry positions in the semi grand finals. All wild card and granted entries will be required to enter a video of a routine that is in line with IPC guidelines before their will be accepted and approved.
Grand Finals

Granted Entry
Granted Entry to the IPC Finals is automatically awarded to all Ultimate Pole Champions 2012, the national representative of the IPC hosting country, the Top 3 Pole Idols for 2013 and the winners of the Asia-Pacific Pole Championships 2012* and the World Pole Sport Championship 2012*. All other competitors need to go through the semi-finals qualification process.

* Applies to certain divisions only

How Do Competitions Earn Granted Semi-Final Entry for their Winners?

Applications for competitions to apply for granted entry will open September 1, 2012 and close December 31, 2012.
Competitions must apply for granted entry by filling in the online application form at www.polechampionship.com/register and submitting an entry fee of 250 HKD (approx 30USD). Information required for this application includes a brief description about their competition, a description/outline of their categories and divisions, competition guidelines, rules, entry process, judging criteria and information about their judges and how these judges are selected.
Once this is submitted, the IPC will then review the application to see if it meets the IPC guidelines.
If all the competition systems, guidelines, judging criteria and selection process are deemed transparent, fair and reasonable then the competition will be approved and their winner(s) will reserve the right to gain Granted Entry through to the IPC semi-finals.

 

Video Entry – Rules and Requirements

Rules and Requirements for Entry Videos

• Video must be well lit, with performer and pole easily visible
• Applicants are required to use two poles; 1 static, 1 spin, and must demonstrate trick combinations on both
• Video must not include or show any other person than the applicant
• Video length must be a minimum 2 mins, maximum 4 mins
• Video cannot be edited in any way; it must show continuous dance performance of the applicant (eg: may not fade in from one trick and out to another).
• Video must be upright for viewing – not sideways
• For those entering Doubles division, competitors must submit separate applications, with the same video
• Video: production, music etc… must be royalty-free. IPDFA does not take responsibility for copyright issues and whatever claims against the video are made will be passed on to the applicant.
• Video link must be set up in public mode.

Key Dates

• 1^st September 2012: Opening day for registration.
• 1^st October 2012: IPDFA will start showcasing profiles of the competitors.
• 15^th February 2013: Closing day for registration.
• 1^th March 2013: “Pole Idol” voting starts at 12 p.m. HKT
• 31^th March 2012: “Pole Idol” voting finishes. Voting for the “Pole Idol” 2013 will be closed at 12 p.m. HKT
• 15^st April 2013: Announcement of the IPDFA INDUSTRY AWARDS nominations.
• 15^st May 2013: Announcement of the “Pole Idol”&”Pole Fan” winner – based on the competitor who receives the most online votes.
• 1^st June 2013: Official announcement of Finalists to the International Pole Championship 2013.
• 28^th November 2013: Press Conference & Pole Professional Convention day 1.
• 29^th November 2013: Pole Professional Convention day 2.
• 30^th November 2013: Workshops at Groove Dance School day 1 and International Pole Championship – Singapore Grand Finals at University Cultural Centre Hall follow by After Party.
• 1^st December 2013: Workshops at Groove Dance School day 2.
• 2^nd December 2013: Basic Instructor Course held at Groove Dance School and Master Instructor Course day 1.
• 3^rd December 2013: Intermediate Instructor Course held at Groove Dance School and Master Instructor Course day 2.
• 4^th December 2013: Advance Instructor Course held at Groove Dance School and Master Instructor Course day 3.

Championship

1. What is the International Pole Championships?

   The International Pole Championship (IPC) is a competition organized annually by
International Pole Dance Fitness Association (IPDFA) with the first held in 2008. It is the brainchild of renowned performer and instructor Ania/Anna Przeplasko (pronounced pshe plaz ko). It is the one pioneering international pole dance fitness championship where winners are credited solely for their dance skills, trick techniques and overall showmanship. The IPC is the first pole competition to introduce both men and disabled divisions. Winners of national championships are granted entry to this championship. Undiscovered talents are encouraged to submit a video entry via the IPC website. All semi finalists stand a chance to gain online votes and win the title Pole Idol, along with sponsorship to the Grand Finals.

2. How do I register for the pole dance championship as a national and entrant ?
   

   There are two simple ways to enter: Granted and Wild-card entry. Granted entry is for anyone who has won an IPDFA-approved national competition, while Wild-card entries are chosen at IPDFA’s discretion, and both require videos submitted online.

3. Is there an age limit to participate in the championship?
   

   Yes, you have to be 18 years and above to enter.

4. What are the rules for the video entry?
   

   The video needs to be between 2 and 4 minutes long. Videos longer than 4 minutes will be accepted, but please be advised that the panel will watch only up until 4 minutes. This time limit is to include any credits or advertising notes.
   For singles, the routine needs to be performed across two poles – one spinning and one static. For Doubles, both poles should be set on spinning. The face/s of the performer/s need to be easily recognized and there should be no other person other than the performer/s in the video.  The video should not be edited, aside from credits at the start and finish if required, and these should run for no longer than 15 seconds in total.  The video and music needs to be copyright-free.

5. Do doubles need to apply separately?
   

   Doubles entries should consist of one completed and signed application form per person, together with the same video entry.

6. What do you mean by ‘Ultimate’, ‘Pole fit’ and ‘Pole art’ champions?

   The Ultimate Pole Champion is an IPC winning title and is awarded to the competitor who demonstrates the highest level of technical skill, strength, flexibility and dynamic movement, along with the highest level of performance, fluidity and showmanship.
POLE FIT: Pole Fit Champion is awarded to the competitor who displays the most strength, flexibility, dynamic movement and aerobic endurance through well executed pole dance movements.  Judges will be looking for pole tricks and combinations, which display a high degree of difficulty executed with flawless technique, and smooth transitions combined with dance/movement in an entertaining routine.POLE ART: Pole Art Champion is awarded to the competitor who performs a routine that displays great artistic expression, through their movement to music, musicality, showmanship, interpretation of their song and creative choreography. This competitor is still expected to show a high level of skill and technique on the pole but the scoring will be weighted towards the performance side of their routine.

7. Who conducts and where are the Championships held?
   

   The International Pole Dance Fitness Association (IPDFA) together with local partners runs the Championships and they are held in a different country each year – chosen specifically as being a region where the IPDFA would like to increase awareness and promotion of pole dancing.

8. Are there any guidelines and qualifications requirements for the competitors?

   There are two simple ways to enter: Granted and Wild-card entry. Granted entry is for anyone who has won an IPDFA-approved national competition, while Wild-card entries are chosen at IPDFA’s discretion, and both require videos submitted online.

9. How do you select the competitor candidates?
   

   A judging panel reviews each of the video entries and scores them according to a universal scoring sheet.

10. Is media part of this event? Are you advertising the Championships for global attention?
    

    Yes, the global media is involved and in fact, IPDFA was successfully featured on international channels such as Reuters, Associated Press,  <<list>>, promoting the International Pole Championship.  In fact, the pole dance industry has acknowledged IPC as the Best Media Attended Event.

11. What are the prizes?

    As well as the coveted titles, prizes are definitely worth entering for and include crystal trophies, a Visitor’s Visa; registration to complete the IPDFA Master Instructor Course; make-up and hair products from the sponsors; support for all entrants with sponsorship applications; invaluable promotion via IPDFA’s website and social media sites and much, much more.

    Additionally in a pole industry first, one lucky Pole Fan will be selected to fly to Singapore with their Pole Idol, attend all of the exciting industry parties and events, and watch the world’s elite pole stars take to the stage to battle it out for the coveted titles.

    The competition is two-fold. The Pole Idol winner (competitor) will win $800 towards flights to Singapore, plus two nights accommodation and Granted Entry to the finals. The Pole Idol Fan also wins $800 towards their flights to Singapore, backstage passes and a VIP ticket to watch all of their Pole Stars compete at IPC. Terms and Conditions applay*

12. Does the jury panel belong to the same industry or any other recognized art or sport platform
    

    Well recognized and respected individuals from other industries, including the circus industry, are invited to join the judging panel.

13. Can IPDFA board members compete for the Championship?

    No.

14. Are there any country restrictions to compete for the Championship?
    

    Pole dancers from all countries are welcome and encouraged to apply.

15. What are the divisions and how are they classed?
    

    There are five divisions – men, women, doubles, disabled and Masters

16. Does IPDFA sponsor the finalists?

    Yes – the winner of Pole Idol has their flights and accommodation to the value of US$3000 sponsored by IPDFA.

17. Is there a fee to apply?

    Each entrant needs to pay a fee of HKD250 to apply

18. What is it for?

    This fee covers administration costs, website upkeep, and vote processing.

19. Are there any events associated with IPC

    There are two events. First of all, the Pole Professional Conference brings together Pole Dance Fitness professionals and national association representatives from different countries to discuss the future, rules and regulations of pole dance fitness . Following IPC, workshops with IPC finalists are hosted.

20. Where can I buy tickets to watch?

    IPDFA forms a partnership with local ticket providers or official ticket box for ticket sales.  Check the IPC website for booking details. Workshops can be booked online.

21. Can I apply to judge IPC?

    To be a judge, you must first complete IPDFA’s judging course, and have a minimum three  years judging experience, to include at least two international events.

22. What are the prizes for Pole Idol and Pole Fan winners?

    In a pole industry first, one lucky pole fan will be selected to fly to Singapore with their Pole Idol, attend all of the exciting industry parties and events, and watch the world’s elite pole stars take to the stage to battle it out for the coveted titles.

    The competition is two-fold. The Pole Idol winner (competitor) will win $800 towards flights to Singapore, plus two nights accommodation and Granted Entry to the finals. The Pole Idol Fan also wins $800 towards their flights to Singapore, backstage passes and a VIP ticket to watch all of their Pole Stars compete at IPC.

    All you have to do to win your place at the most talked about pole event this year is vote for your Pole Idol. Not only will you be helping to ensure your Pole Idol gets through to the finals, but you could even be joining them, together with the World’s Pole Royalty, at the only place anyone in the industry wants to be in November this year.

    Terms and conditions: IPDFA maintains the right to use all photography and interviews with the winner prior to, during and following the International Pole Championship for publicity purposes. No IPDFA team or members can take part and IPDFA reserves the right to cancel the competition or prize due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to, natural disaster. Winner must be 18 years or over, and the prizes for both Pole Idol and Pole Fan are redeemable only upon presentation of their invoices in Singapore and upon attending IPC. If the prize is not claimed, it will be awarded to another Pole Fan at IPDFA’s discretion.