Categories for Pole Art and Aerial Art UK 2025

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• Please note a professional performer classification for Pole and Aerial Art UK is anyone who is paid to perform on a regularly basis (6 plus times a year) Lap dancers and burlesque dancers are not classed as professional performers for this competition.

• Your video entry must be a representation of you level. If you have got significantly more advanced moves under your belt if you're accepted for the final then please let us know and we may move you up a category.

• For the categories for children please scroll down. 

• Please note for the children’s category everyone must use a safety mat. Anyone under the age of 18 years in either competition must use a mat for aerial. You can provide your own or use ours

 

 

Our category’s are open to interpretation. Please enter the correct category. We have the rights to move you into a more suitable category if we deem appropriate and will contact you first. 

 

We are looking for level appropriate tricks - please email us if you’re unsure of which tricks are allowed. 

 

 

Amateur

 

This category is for people at a recreational level of pole/aerial. No instructors or professionals allowed. Our guideline is if you have placed 1st in any competition in recent years without a significant life change you may want to consider moving up a category - THIS IS A GUIDELINE ONLY. We expect to see amateur level tricks and transitions. Basic inverts are allowed. Please note the competition is marked with the majority on artistic. If you are performing moves of a higher level you will be moved up a category - even in the live final. We do not expect to see inverted tricks such as jade splits, allegra, butterflys, no flips and more.  We would love to see spins, basic pole sits, upright positions and basic inverts such as crucifix. For aerial (using hoop as example) delilah, man in the moon but if you are straddling easily into hoop and getting onto top bar this category isn't for you.

 

Lower Intermediate

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Open to everyone who is at an intermediate level, who are not professional performers. Instructors are allowed. We expect to see lower intermediate level tricks and transitions. Please note the competition is marked with the majority on artistic. Our guideline is if you have placed 1st in any competition in recent years without a significant life change you may want to consider moving up a category - THIS IS A GUIDELINE ONLY. We would not expect to see flips, arms only moves for pole. We would be expecting to see butterfly, laybacks, wrist seats and leg hangs. Aerial no elbow rolls and dynamic switches. 

 

Higher Intermediate

 

Open to everyone who is at an intermediate higher level, who are not professional performers. Instructors are allowed. We expect to see higher intermediate level tricks and transitions. Please note the competition is marked with the majority on artistic. Our guideline is if you have placed 1st in any competition in recent years without a significant life change you may want to consider moving up a category - THIS IS A GUIDELINE ONLY. We would expect to see extended butterflys but no Ayshas. Brass monkeys and baby flips are ok. We would not expect to see full rounded or 360 flips or aerial shoulder mounts. For aerial small drops and rolls are ok.

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Lower Advanced

 

Open to everyone who is at an advanced level, who are not professional performers. Instructors are allowed. We expect to see advanced level tricks and transitions. Please note the competition is marked with the majority on artistic. Our guideline is if you have placed 1st in any competition in recent years without a significant life change you may want to consider moving up a category - THIS IS A GUIDELINE ONLY. We would expect to see grip switches and dynamic movement for pole. The main difference between Advanced and Higher advanced for both categories is the ease in which you perform your moves. 

 

Higher Advanced 

 

Open to everyone who is at a higher advanced level, who are not professional performers. Instructors are allowed. We expect to see higher advanced level tricks and transitions. Our guideline is if you have placed 1st in any competition in recent years without a significant life change you may want to consider moving up a category - THIS IS A GUIDELINE ONLY Please note the competition is marked with the majority on artistic. We feel for both pole and aerial anything goes in this category 

 

Professional

 

Open to all performers. All tricks are allowed. Please note the competition is marked with the majority on artistic. Please note a professional performer classification for Pole and Aerial Art UK is anyone who is paid to perform on a regularly basis (6 plus times a year) Lap dancers and burlesque dancers are not classed as professional performers for this competition. Our guideline is if you have placed 1st in any competition in recent years without a significant life change you may want to consider moving up a category - THIS IS A GUIDELINE ONLY

 

Elite 

 

Open to all performers. All tricks are allowed. Please note the competition is marked with the majority on artistic. 

If you have a few Pro titles under your belt we would expect to see you in this category 

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Aerial Art Junior UK

 

Each Category has 2 sub categories of ages. 8-12 years and 13-16 years at the time of entering. 

 

Beginner 

 

We expect see students who have not competed on a live final stage before, who are newer to their aerial journey, who are not physical able to complete high end intermediate aerial tricks. Please note the judges decision to change your category is final. 

 

Intermediate 

 

We expect to see students who are of an intermediate level. Who are not physically able to complete high end advanced level aerial tricks. You must not have won an intermediate competition of the discipline you’re presenting. Please note the judges decision to change your category is final. 

 

Advanced

No restrictions for either age group