POLE DANCE SHOW 2025 RULES

1. The Organizer of POLE DANCE SHOW 2025 competition (hereinafter referred to as the "Competition") is FUNDACJA KLUB SPORTOWY MY WAY foundation, KRS number: 0001008502.

2. The Competition will take place on April 24th to 27th, 2025 in the Centrum Kongresowe Targów Kielce (Targi Kielce Congress Center), ul. Zakładowa 1, 25-672 Kielce.

April 24th (Thursday) – ART & EXOTIC debuts 

Kids 8-11 debut, Juniors 12-14 debut, Juniors 15-17 debut, Women debut, Men debut, Exotic debut

April 25th (Friday) - ART 

Kids 8-11 amateur, Kids 8-11 semi-pro, Juniors 12-14 amateur, Juniors 12-14 semi-pro, Juniors 15-17 amateur, Juniors 15-17 semi-pro, Women amateur, Men amateur, Duets/groups amateur 

April 26th (Saturday) - ART

Kids 8-11 professional, Juniors 12-14 professional, Juniors 15-17 professional, Women semi-pro, Women professional, Women elite, Men semi-pro, Men professional, Duets/groups professional, Women 40+

April 27th (Sunday) - EXOTIC

Exotic amateur, Exotic semi-pro, Exotic professional, Exotic elite, Exotic duets, Exotic 40+

3. Mission

The Competition's mission is to put out a unique stage show using vertical poles. Creativity and the artistic side of the performance/show are the most important aspects.

4. Categories and definitions.

Pole dance competition – an organized sporting event on the national or international scale, bringing together athletes practicing pole dance/exotic/pole art/pole sport and any variation of pole dance taking place using a vertical pole. Competitions organized by pole dance studios for their students shall not be taken into account.

Debuts - categories intended for those who are participating in pole dance competitions for the first time. A person who qualifies to more than one competition in the category of debuts and will perform in this category in other pole dance competitions taking place before the date of POLE DANCE SHOW 2025 cannot participate in the category of debuts, will not be moved to a higher category and will not receive any refund of the application fee.

Pole dance instructor –a person who has a certificate that gives rights to conduct pole dance classes (instructor courses), a person who has conducted in the past/is conducting, as of the date of submitting an application, pole dance/exotic/pole art/pole sport classes and any variation of pole dance classes taking place using a vertical pole. Seniority is not taken into account. One-time teaching of classes (replacement) is not taken into account. If a person starts working as an instructor/obtains a certificate of an instructor is required to notify this fact to the Organizer by email in order to be moved to a higher category. Such cases will be taken into account only until the end of accepting submission. Starting work as an instructor/obtaining a certificate after January 6, 2025 will not result in moving to a higher category.

Categories.

A participant who submitted an application to more than one competition (including PDS 2025) in the same category and will place 1st-3rd in this category in other competitions taking place before the date of the end of accepting submissions for POLE DANCE SHOW 2025 is obliged to notify this fact to the organizer in order to be moved to a higher category. A participant who places 1st-3rd after the end of accepting submissions , i.e. after the 6th of January 2025, will remain in the same category.

Categories of Kids and Juniors (all genders). For the categories of Kids and Juniors, the age at the date of the final performance is taken into account.

KIDS debut. This category is for kids between 8 and 11 years of age who have never participated in pole dance competitions. During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

KIDS amateurs. This category is for kids between 8 and 11 years of age who have participated in the amateur category, but have not placed 1st-3rd (except for debut categories). During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

Kids semi-pro. This category is for kids between 8 and 11 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of Kids amateur and placed 1st-3rd or have participated in the semi-pro category, but have not placed 1st-3rd.

Kids professional. This category is for kids between 8 and 11 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of semi-pro or higher  and placed 1st-3rd; and/or represent pole dance skills at a professional level.

JUNIORS 12-14 debut. This category is for persons between 12 and 14 years of age who have never participated in pole dance competitions.During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

JUNIORS 12-14 amateur. This category is for persons between 12 and 14 years of age who have participated in the amateur category, but have not placed 1st-3rd. During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

JUNIORS 12-14 semi pro. This category is for persons between 12 and 14 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of Juniors amateur and placed 1st-3rd or have participated in the semi-pro category, but have not placed 1st-3rd.

JUNIORS 12-14 professionals. This category is for persons between 12 and 14 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of semi-pro or higher  and placed 1st-3rd; and/or represent pole dance skills at a professional level.

JUNIORS 15-17 debut. This category is for persons between 15 and 17 years of age who have never participated in pole dance competitions. During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

JUNIORS 15-17 amateur. This category is for persons between 15 and 17 years of age who have participated in the amateur category, but have not placed 1st-3rd. During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

JUNIORS 15-17 semi pro. This category is for persons between 15 and 17 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of Juniors amateur and placed 1st-3rd or have participated in the semi-pro category, but have not placed 1st-3rd.

JUNIORS 15-17 professional. This category is for persons between 15 and 17 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of semi-pro or higher  and placed 1st-3rd; and/or represent pole dance skills at a professional level.

ART 18+ categories. Participants entering the 18+ category must be at least 18 years old on the day of the final performance. Participants who move to a higher category in terms of age, i.e. from Juniors to 18+ categories, and have placed 1st-3rd in Kids/Juniors, and who are not pole dance instructors, should submit their applications to Women/Men amateurs. If such a person is an instructor,  then the appropriate category is semi-pro. Such a participant can also apply to higher categories, which remains an individual decision of the participant.

WOMEN amateur debut. This category is intended for women aged 18 and above who are not pole dance instructors on the date of submitting an application and have never participated in pole dance competitions. During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

WOMEN amateur. This category is intended for women aged 18 and above who are not pole dance instructors on the date of submitting an application and have competed in pole dance competitions in the amateur category but have not won 1st-3rd place (except for debut categories). During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

WOMEN semi-pro. This category is intended for women aged 18 and above who are professionally engaged in pole dancing (are pole dance instructors, conduct pole dance workshops); and/or have participated in pole dance competitions in the semi-pro category, but have not won 1st-3rd place; and/or have won 1st-3rd place in the women amateur category.

WOMEN professional. This category is intended for women aged 18 and above, who have won 1st-3rd place in pole dance competitions in semi-pro category or higher; and/or represent pole dance skills at a professional level.

WOMEN elite. This category is intended for women aged 18 and above, who have won 1st-3rd place in pole dance competitions in professional category or higher many times (more than two); and/or represent high level of pole dance skills.

WOMEN 40+ . The category is intended for women who are at least 40 years old at the date of the Competition. 

MEN amateur. This category is intended for men aged 18 and above, who are not pole dance instructors at the date of sending an application and have never placed 1st-3rd in pole dance competition.During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

MEN semi-pro. This category is intended for men aged 18 and above who are professionally engaged in pole dancing (are pole dance instructors, conduct pole dance workshops); and/or have participated in pole dance competitions in the semi-pro category, but have not won 1st-3rd place; and/or have won 1st-3rd place in the men amateur category.

MEN professional. This category is intended for men aged 18 and above, who are professionally engaged in pole dance (are pole dance instructors, conduct pole dance workshops) and/or have won 1st-3rd place in pole dance competitions.

DUETS/GROUPS amateur. This category is intended for duets and groups. Each participant of a duet or a group must be at least 18 years of age at the date of the Competition. This category is intended for people, who are not pole dance instructors at the date of sending an application and have never placed 1st-3rd in pole dance competition (both in solo category and in a duet/group) .During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

DUETS/GROUPS professional. This category is intended for duets and groups. Each participant of a duet or a group must be at least 18 years of age at the date of the Competition. This category is intended for people, who are pole dance instructors and/or have placed 1st-3rd in pole dance competition (both in solo category and in a duet/group) .

Exotic 18+ categories (all genders). Intended for both women and men (mix) aged 18 and above. Participants of exotic categories wear platform high heels, the so-called pleasers.

EXOTIC DUETS. This category is intended for duets and groups. Each participant of a duet or a group must be at least 18 years of age at the date of the Competition. 

EXOTIC 40+. The category is intended for persons who are at least 40 years old at the date of the Competition. 

EXOTIC amateur debut. This category is intended for persons aged 18 and above who are not pole dance instructors on the date of submitting an application and have never participated in pole dance competitions. During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

EXOTIC amateur. This category is intended for persons aged 18 and above who are not pole dance instructors on the date of submitting an application and have competed in pole dance competitions in the amateur category but have not won 1st-3rd place (except for debut categories).During the final performance prohibited in this category are all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

EXOTIC semi-pro. This category is intended for persons aged 18 and above who are professionally engaged in pole dancing (are pole dance instructors, conduct pole dance workshops); and/or have participated in pole dance competitions in the semi-pro category, but have not won 1st-3rd place; and/or have won 1st-3rd place in the women amateur category.

EXOTIC professional. This category is intended for persons aged 18 and above, who have won 1st-3rd place in pole dance competitions in semi-pro category or higher; and/or represent pole dance skills at a professional level. 

EXOTIC elite. This category is intended for people aged 18 and above, who have won 1st-3rd place in pole dance competitions in professional category or higher many times (more than two); and/or represent high level of pole dance skills.

5. Submissions

To participate in the competitions, you have to fill in the application, which can be found here: JOIN! or click "take a part in competition" in POLE DANCE SHOW 2025. We recommend you to fill in the application using a computer (it is less intuitive when using a mobile phone). After sending your application you will receive an email confirming the correct submission of your application. Now, make a payment. In the case of duets/groups, each person being a member of this duet/group has to submit their application. In the field with a pseudonym/name of the group/duet, each member should enter the name of the duet/group or full names of all its members.

The application video must not be a montage of clips and must not be recorded with a moving camera (zooming in and out). The only exceptions are official videos from competitions, recorded by professionals. The quality of the video should allow a fair evaluation, ensure adequate lighting and clear sound. It can be a choreography prepared for the finals, but does not have to. You can use only one pole (spinning, static) or both. The duration of the video must not exceed 2 minutes (you can upload a longer video but the jury will watch only the first 2 minutes of it).

The application video will be assessed based on the following scoring card: Choreography (0-10 points), Originality (0-10 points), Musicality (0-10 points), Strength (0-10 points), Flexibility (0-10 points), Transitions (0-10 points), Clean Execution (0-10 points), Overall (0-10 points).

The deadline for submissions is January 6, 2025. The number of 5-20 people from each category will be qualified for the finals. The finalists will be selected by the competition committee (jury) consisting of 3 people and announced by January 15, 2025 at the latest. Those who submit their applications but are not qualified for the finals will not receive a refund of the submission fee.

Submission fees:

PLN 100 (EUR 25) – fee for one category (if one person registers for more than one category, a fee must be paid for each category; in the case of duets/groups, payment is made by only one person for the entire duet/group)

Submission fees are accepted by January 6, 2025.

PLN 200 (EUR 50) – SOLO, a fee for each category that will qualify for the final (if one person qualifies for more than one category, a fee must be paid for each category);

PLN 350 (EUR 90) - DUETS/GROUPS, a fee for each duet/group that will qualify for the final; for groups consisting of more than 3 people, a fee of PLN 100 (EUR 25) per each additional person must be made. 

We accept payments until January 21, 2025.

How to make a payment?

1. Log into ScoreApp.

2. Go to "Your profile" --> "Dancer zone" --> "The competitions you are registered for" and select POLE DANCE SHOW 2025.

3. In the table you will see the amount to be paid for the selected category. Click on it and follow the instructions of PayNow.

Payments in EUR can be made to PayPal account poledanceshowkielce@gmail.com or by bank transfer (if you do not have a PayPal account.

Fundacja MY WAY 

PL62 1140 2004 0000 3502 8338 6054

Resignation from participation. A participant can resign from participation in the competition without the need to indicate a reason. A participant who resigns from participation later than 3 weeks before the date of the Competition cannot participate in the next edition of the Competition. Except for a participant who will provide a medical certificate confirming inability to participate.

The fee is non-returnable. In case of the participant's resignation from participation in the Competition the fee shall not be refunded and the participant shall not receive a ticket. 

6. Awards

The first three places in each category will receive diplomas, medals as well as material and money prizes funded by the sponsors. Each participant will receive a video (on the YouTube channel) of their performance within 3 weeks from the date of the Competition.

7. The scene and the poles

The scene will have 2 poles (static and spinning) with a diameter of 45 mm, at a distance of 3 m from each other and with a height of 4 m. From the participant's perspective, the spinning pole will be located on the left. These will be brass poles. In the case of duets/groups there is a possibility of selection of two static or two spinning poles (after previous notification by e-mail). Stage dimensions are 6 m x 14 m. The floor will be covered with a ballet/stage floor made 100% of vinyl.

8. The Participants

On the day of the competition the participant must be 18 years of age (this does not pertain to the Junior and Kids category), have personal accident insurance, be familiar with the contents of these Rules and have a valid identity document. It is forbidden to consume alcohol or narcotics on the day of the Competition.

9. Scoring 

 To be published soon.

 10. Music

The length of the participant’s performance should be within the following range:

Debuts, Amateurs 2:30-3:00

Semi-pro, Women 40+, Exotic 40+, 2:30-3:30

Professional, Elite 3:00-4:00 

Music with a vulgar language, unethical, racist etc. content is forbidden. The only exception is the performances of exotic category participants, taking place on Sunday, April 27, 2025. In the case of these performances, the use of a song that contains vulgar language is permitted, but only with prior approval from the Organizer (the text of the song must be sent by email for approval). The Organizer has the right to refuse the possibility of using such a song if, in their opinion, the lyrics of such a song will be too far outside the generally accepted norms. The same piece of music can be used by more than one participant. Music should be uploaded to the ScoreApp system in the form of a file in MP3 format by April 15, 2025 at the latest. 

How to do it?

1. Log in to the ScoreApp system.

2. Enter the tab "Your account" --> "Dancer zone" --> Pole Dance Show 2025

3. In the table you can find a field where you can upload your music (MP3 file column)

4. Save the music file by clicking "v" button (save)

Our system verifies the length of a song. Each file exceeding the length specified in the Rules will be rejected. We accept only files in MP3 format with a maximum size of 6MB. We recommend you to upload files using your computer (using a smartphone is uncomfortable).

11. Costume

1. The costume is left to the participant's discretion. It is however forbidden to perform topless (except for men), in erotic lingerie, in a costume exposing intimate parts. Permitted footwear: ballet shoes, gym shoes, dance shoes and high heels (for exotic categories). The footwear may not pose a threat to the audience/jury/other participants. Tattoos and make-up are permitted, but these should not soil the scene, poles and the other participants.

2. The exposure of intimate parts of the body, e.g. breasts, while performing on stage, which is the result of the dynamics of movements on stage while presenting the choreography, does not affect the disqualification of the participant or lower the score and does not violate point 1. In each case, the organizer/judges decide as to whether the intimate body parts were exposed intentionally.

12. Choreography and copyright

 1. The participant should prepare a routine/choreography that will be presented on the stage on the day of the competition in such a way that it is a work created individually by the competitor. The organizer shall not be responsible for the competitor's choreography, both in the art and exotic categories, in terms of its individual character.

 2. The competition organizer shall not be responsible for any possible infringement of other people's copyrights to the choreography presented on stage on the day of the competition. Any claim for copyright infringement of a dance work (choreography) will be at the discretion of the original creator.

 3. The competition organizer shall not resolve disputes regarding copyright infringement of the work (choreography).

13. Human props, stage props, unusual ideas

During the final performance, only the participant(s) may be on stage. The use of third parties for choreography is possible only after prior notification of this information to the organizer (until March 30, 2025). In addition to the participant, a maximum of two people may be on stage. Additional people may not touch the poles. Human props are required to purchase an entry ticket to the event. Permitted accessories: gloves, knee and ankle protectors. All accessories used for the choreography should be previously reported (until March 30, 2025) and their installation/removal should not take longer than 3 minutes. Each participant is required to leave the stage clean (any feathers, confetti, etc. must be cleaned up by the participant after the performance). All accessories should not hamper the performance. The use of magnesia, dry hands, mighty grip etc is permitted but it can be applied only on a participant’s body. Balsams, itac, and body lotions are forbidden. Any unusual ideas for the final performance will be considered individually. The intention to use any accessories or human props should be notified by email to poledanceshowkielce@gmail.com until March 30, 2025.

14. Stage testing

Each participant is allowed to test the stage for at least 1 minute and a maximum of 3 minutes. The time of the stage testing and its duration will be published in the ScoreApp system no later than 3 days before the Competition.

15. Pole cleaning

The Organizer will arrange pole cleaners for each day of the competition. If a participant prefers to clean the pole themselves or have the pole cleaned by their coach/teammate, they have to simply notify this fact at the backstage before going on stage.

15. Disqualification and penalties from the Organizer

A participant may be disqualified for not applying to the Rules or the organizer's recommendations. The Organizer can apply penalty in the following cases:

• performing prohibited moves on the pole or without using the pole: - 5 points for each element

• music provided after the deadline 

• between 1 and 5 days of delay: -1 point per each day of delay,

• more than 5 days of delay, but not later than 48 hours before the start of the competition: -5 points

• music file provided less than 48 hours before the start of the competition: disqualification 

• provision of false or incomplete information during registration:

• inaccurate or false information: -5 points for each such a case

• false information regarding age or category: disqualification 

• Hand-grip use

• applying hand-grips directly on a pole: -5 points

• using prohibited hand-grips: disqualification 

Injury during the performance 

Starting one’s performance from the beginning is allowed only in the case of music issues. If a participant gets injured during their performance and requires medical assistance, they will have a minute to restart their performance from the moment in which it was interrupted. If after one minute, the participant is unable to restart their performance, they will be removed from the list of finalists and no points will be awarded.

16. Authorization for reproduction of physical likeness

Making a submission to Pole Dance Show 2025 is tantamount to a lasting and unconditionally free of charge authorization for photographic, video and television recording of all the presentations and their use, publication and transmission in any media.

17. Tickets

Tickets for the event will be sold stationary on the date of the Competition. Each finalist receives a ticket for the entire POLE DANCE SHOW competition. Coaches, parents, and human props are required to purchase a ticket for the event.

18. Participation in Pole Dance Show 2025 is tantamount to accepting these Rules.

19. Any questions and remarks should be sent to poledanceshowkielce@gmail.com