British pole dancing championships to take place in Blackburn (From This Is Lancashire)

British pole dancing championships to take place in Blackburn

9:00pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Simone Yates

POLE Dancing classes are taking off across East Lancashire and this weekend the British Pole Superstar Championships are coming to Blackburn.

But if you’re one of those people who associates a pole with seedy nightclubs and 10-inch heels, you couldn’t be more wrong.

The movements, including inversions, spins, climbs and splits, are the latest techniques to help you get fit.

Great Harwood dancers Nadine Blacow and Leana Darbyshire are behind the British championships and hundreds of women have passed through their doors since pole dancing became a form of fitness training.

“Poling is the latest trend that helps you keep fit and boost your confidence,” said Nadine, who launched the classes in January last year.

Skills and strength are needed for pole dancing, which is recognised as a form of dance and gymnastics.

“I personally think that pole dancing is the least sexy thing around. The moves can be unflattering and if you aren’t able to do them then it can look terrible. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to poling,” said Nadine, who will be competing herself at Thwaites Empire Theatre this weekend.

“Leana and I started to realise how popular pole dancing was. That’s why we launched the competition and got in touch with dance studios from across Britain and we have had some excellent people come forward. Hopefully, in the future people will be more open-minded to this incredible style of dance and gymnastics and realise there are many ways in which pole dance can be performed,” said Nadine who runs her classes from DFA Studios in Great Harwood.

The British Pole Superstar Championships are open to pole and fitness dance students, instructors and professionals from all over the UK and will be performed in a ‘non-erotic’ way.

Judges of this year’s competition include Miss Pole Dance UK 2011 and 2012.

Nadine, 28, said that there was a men’s category and the pole competition will be compered by 2011 winner, Daniel Rosen.

She said: “Poling is all about strength and core muscle structure. You have to be incredibly strong and practise vigorously. It is just like any other dance style from ballet to salsa. Men can enjoy taking part as well as women because we are trying to portray it as a sport as well as a hobby. It’s just great.”

• The British Pole Superstar Championships, Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn, Saturday, 6.30pm. Box Office: 01254 685500.

Pole dance basics

• There are eight points of direction to aim for while on the pole — the four diagonal corners of a room plus the four sides.
• The stance of the whole body is generally with the bottom tucked in, shoulders dropped down and body upright and extended.
• Inclines are used to accent a position and used in spins to maintain balance.
• Legs can be fully extended sometimes with rotation at the shoulder.