The University of Plymouth Pole Dance Club travelled to Bristol University on Sunday 24th March to compete at the South West Pole Varsity (an inter-University competition) – leaving with First Place Group Category and Second Place Intermediate Soloist!
The Pole Dancers entered all four categories, including Beginner, Intermediate and Advance Soloists, and the Group Category.
The competition team began self-choreographing in January, each developing routines that spoke to their skills and interests, with help from team captains, friends, instructors, and each other. The 6 competitors trained intensely for three months – sometimes up to 12 hours a week – to create their 3-minute routines.
Our beginner and joint Team Captain, Kelsie Wherry, performed a mesmerizingly spooky dance, themed around spellbinding and possession. Although not placing, Kelsie performed fantastically, and looked amazing whilst doing it! Kelsie has loved the experience and will continue to be Team Captain next year. She received feedback including "such an interesting performance to watch, your attention to detail was lovely. Creative AF. Gorgeous ending" and "your hype squad are fab!"
Next to perform was Intermediate Soloist and club President, Elizabeth Harrison. Beth choreographed a dazzling performance filled with showstopping tricks, and complicated but smooth contemporary flow, to euphoric song, ‘Feels’ by Labyrinth. Beth showed off stunning flexibility on the pole, gaining 78/80 marks from one judge (!) with feedback including "Awesome trickster – well done!", "Fun and super interesting choreo & dance elements. Great job dancing through your tricks and transitions", and "Love your flexibility!"
The last soloist was master’s student, Megan Thomas. Megan competed at Advanced level, showing off strength after strength in her remarkable trick-heavy routine. The judges expressed admiration on Megans "beautiful strength and control combined with soft expressiveness."
Comp was an incredible experience for me, especially never having competed before. Even though I didn't place I was proud of my routine and performance on the day. It's been a wonderful experience training with the other competitors and with the amazing guidance of our committee members. So proud of all of us. - Megan Thomas, Advance Soloist.
Making up our Group Category was Ellie O’Bryan, Emma Hornsby, and Wiktoria Ekman. The girls graced the stage with their beautiful flow routine emphasising the feminism movements, to the song ‘Labour’ by Paris Paloma. In their performance, the group uniquely used each other’s bodyweight to hold impressive shapes, having up to three people on a pole at one time, whilst mirroring and working around each other beautifully.
I couldn’t be more proud to be part of such an incredible team and sport. I am so lucky to have made the friendships and memories I have through hours of hard work and training. I never thought I’d have the confidence to compete but with the support of everyone around me I felt empowered and uplifted. I wish I could do it all over again. - Ellie O’Bryan, Group Competitor 1st Place.
Group achieved Excellent Marks in every grading category from every judge, along with fantastic comments "really good synchro movement, you did a great job of moving together as a unit" and "expressive faces and choreography… loved every second of it – you all looked incredible!"
Very proud to be one of the team captains this year. Everyone worked so hard, with hours of practice and ideas. I managed to conquer my fear of going on stage as soloist and even thought I didn’t place; I was so happy I went on and did it. I’m so proud of group for coming first and Beth for coming second in intermediate. And Megan’s advanced routine was gorgeous. We all did Plymouth proud!!! - Kelsie Wherry, Team Captain, and Beginner Soloist.
I don’t even know where to start. When I first started pole, I never thought I’d preform in front of people let alone compete. Throughout the experience my confidence grew massively which was mainly down to the most supportive group members and team captains ever. I am incredibly proud of both Emma and Ellie for their commitment and dedication to the sport, I honestly don’t think I could have gotten on stage without them. I loved every second of it and hope to compete again one day. - Wiktoria Ekman, Group Competitor 1st Place.
Our team was truly the best, not just because of our routine but how we grew as a group. We learnt new moves together, formed bonds and created new friendships that will last a long time after SWPV. The feeling of accomplishing first place with your friends by your side is something I will never be able to replace. After months of practice, lots of falls and tears it was the perfect conclusion to our beautiful routine. - Emma Hornsby, Group Competitor 1st Place.
Congratulations Pole Dance Club, you “nailed it” (quoted, Elizabeth Harrison, President, and Intermediate Soloist 2nd Place).
Find out more about UPPDC:
Find out more and purchase a membership for the Pole Dance Society here.
Follow them on Instagram.
Email: uppdc@outlook.com