Pole Society Girls Win their categories at the Bristol heat of UKAPP 2011

On the 18th June 2011, the UK Amateur Pole Performer competition 2011 took place at Eton and Haze, Bristol. Many UoB Pole Society girls entered; Laura Curry entered the Performer category, Emma England entered the Intermediate category, whilst Bex & Emy, and Emily & Michelle entered the Doubles category. Laura won first place in Performer, and Bex & Emy won the Doubles category, so both acts will now be competing at the UK final in St. Albans on September 24th. Come along and support once tickets go on sale!

Pole Society Nominated for more awards!

That's right! This academic year (2010-11), the UOB Pole Society were nominated for Best Website and Best Society, at the Society Awards, and Best Collaboration at the Union Awards!

Bristol/UWE Pole Societies Spin and Win at the Inter University Pole Competition 2011

Saturday 19th March saw an amazing joint win from the University of Bristol Pole Dancing Society and the UWE Pole Fitness Society. The Bristol team swept the board at the Inter-University Pole Dancing Competition at Cardiff University, winning an astounding 7 out of the 12 available awards. Beating Bath, Bath Spa, Cardiff, and Derby Universities. The team of 22 had individual performances, ranging from beginner to instructor, and a spectacular group routine to Cell Block Tango from the Musical Chicago.

Some of the beginners have only had 5 lessons, which is very impressive. Most of the individuals in the team had not competed in a pole dancing competition, and some had never even performed a routine in front of an audience. Most notable performances were from BaoLinh CaoSong, who won the beginner category, with a beautiful fluid and technically excellent routine. As well as Priya Sodha with her fabulous mix of ballet and pole dancing in the beginner’s category, she is definitely one to watch for the future. Bex Brady who won the advanced category, performed with her usual tongue in cheek style, with immense strength and technical skill.

The Bristol winners of the day were, Beginner’s: 1st BaoLinh CaoSong, 3rd Laura Curry; Intermediate: 2nd Emy Calder; Advanced: 1st Bex Brady, 3rd Angela Bunce; Instructor: Kate Johnstone. This resulted in the Bristol team winning the competition overall; and taking home the trophy for the year. The society is looking forward to hosting the competition next year and putting its own spin on it.

To watch the winning performance from Bex Brady’s visit http://tinyurl.com/BexBrady1 and http://tinyurl.com/BaoLinh-CaoSong for BaoLinh CaoSong.

The team would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along and supported too.

Bex Spins into a Win at Pole Divas!

On the 23rd October, Bex Brady wowed the crowds and judges with her theatrical performance to win the Amateur category of the South West Heat of the Pole Divas competition. Bex, who is in her second year studying Veterinary Science and is the social secretary of the Bristol University's Pole Dancing Society, danced to Neyo's 'Beautiful Monster'. Therefore it only seemed right that she dressed up as a monster, with fake blood and stitching drawn on her face, as well as wearing a Draculas cape! This was by a theatrical performance, with creepy facial expressions and movement carefully choreographed in between spin combinations and poses. Performances like this are raising awareness of pole dancing as an art form and a type of fitness, moving away from the stereotypical image that has been imposed on it by its roots in gentlemen's clubs.

Pole Divas is a competition aimed at changing peoples' perception of pole dancing and showing its health and fitness qualities. The competition has very complex judging criteria, with various compulsory components as well as list of banned moves per category. We are proud to say that Bex got through to the grand final on 21st November 2010 at Pure in Manchester.

You can watch Bex’s winning performance at: http://tinyurl.com/bexpoledivas

UoB Pole Society Nominated for UBU Awards

Bristol University Pole Society were nominated for Best New Society and Best Website in the Society awards in the academic year 2009-2010. Although we did not win, we were extremely proud to have been nominated. :)