How to Prepare For Your 1st Aerial Competition

Over the last few years, aerial competitions have become more accessible and frequent in the aerial arts community. Competitions are a great opportunity to connect with other aerialists and studios, get expert feedback on your performances, and get the opportunity to perform for large, diverse crowds. However, all competitions are not created equal. In this guide, we will help you find legitimate aerial competition, give you the tools to prepare for your performance adequately, and help you determine if competing is beneficial for you!

Finding the Right Aerial Competition For You/Determining Competition Readiness:

1. Determining Competition Readiness:

When determining if you are ready to compete, there are two items you need to consider:

1A. Am I physically capable of completing a competition routine?

The first item that you should consider is whether you are physically ready to compete. Individuals of all levels are ages are always encouraged to compete. New aerialists will need to determine if they feel comfortable putting a fully composed piece together. Make sure that you are capable of staying in the air for a minimum of 2.5 minutes. Aerialists with at least 6 months to 1 year of experience are generally capable of putting a novice/beginner routine together, but everyone's aerial journey is different.

1B. Do I want to be a part of an aerial competition?

Aerial arts for some people are seen as an art, while to others it is a sport. Consider if you are willing or wanting to get feedback on your performance and have your work compared against others. Competition can give performers a sense of purpose and can provide feedback that helps improve their practice. To others, it might feel like criticism of their art or might put unneeded pressure on individuals who look to aerial as an escape or art. Competing and winning titles are not necessary items in proving that you are a quality aerialist. Remember, your worth is not tied to your performance in a competition.

2. Get Out Of Your Head:

The only requirements to being ready to compete are the items above. A lot of individuals think they are too old to compete or that they are not polished enough. Your routine does not need to be/likely will not be perfect. Especially if you are a novice or intermediate aerialist, don't get caught up in the minor imperfections. Get out of your own way and enjoy the opportunity to compete.

3. Location & Travel Requirements:

Now, let's talk about logistics. Though the access to aerial competitions is increasing, travel is often required to compete in person. When determining if you would like to compete, first determine if you have the means to travel to the competition. Competitions are more than just the registration fee, there is the cost of driving or airplane tickets, hotel rooms, and more. Also, make sure that you understand the competition schedule so that you can determine the travel days and times for your specific divisions and apparatuses.

If you find that you may not want to commit to a competition that has significant travel requirements, consider competing virtually. Virtual competitions allow you the opportunity to film your routine at your home studio and submit it for placement and feedback. This is a great, lower-cost option, and is an accessible way to compete for the first time.

Aerial competitions like the Dakota Aerial Championship, Aerialympics, and Aerial Star are great virtual competition options.

4. Competition Rules & Clarity:

Before signing up for a competition, make sure that the competition rules are clear and transparent. If the rules and competitor packet are not readily accessible, this is a big red flag. To be able to put a quality routine together, you will need to know the expectations for your division and the general competition structure.

Specific items to look for include:

• What are the divisions, and what is the specific criterion for permitted and restricted skills?

• What is the code of conduct for the competition?

• Are there specific equipment or height restrictions for the in-person studio space? Can you bring your personal equipment?

• What are the standard deductions that are grounds for disqualification?

• If judging transparent and clearly understandable (see more below)?

• Is there a specific dress code or other rules on props?

If you are looking into a competition that does not include some of the information above, we recommend reaching out to the competition to get clarity. If there is not means to contact the competition, this might be another red flag.

5. Transparency in Judging Process & Procedures:

Understanding the judging criteria is paramount in being able to compose a winning piece and choreograph your routine. Make sure that the competition has their scoring values, point system, and criteria available for review. This should include both division criteria and general rules and guidelines. You should also get information on how judges are sourced and their system for non-biased judging.

The amount and type of feedback also varied based on the competition and the judging restrictions. Some judges have only a short, set amount of time to provide feedback in real-time. Other competitions give judges a longer feedback period that will lead to more detailed feedback. Make sure your expectations align with the feedback you will receive from the event.

If the judging criteria are not transparent, this might be an indication that there isn't a formal rubric for judging. You always want to know the criteria, so that you are tailoring your routine to the standards. For instance, some competitions focus heavily on storyline and characterization, while others focus on packing in high-difficulty skills. These nuances will help in your creation process

6. Price:

We would be remiss if we did not include price in our criteria. Some competitions cost far more than others. Some can be $100 or less, like the Dakota Aerial Championship, while others can be $245+, like Vivafest or Soar Competition. Make sure that you stay up-to-date with when registration opens and if any early bird specials are available. Also - remember registration spots may be limited - so if you can commit to competing, make sure to complete your registration in a timely manner.

Preparing For The Competition:

1. Start Your Planning Early:

Putting together a competition act takes time. Many studios and students work on the same competition routine for a full competition season. Make sure to start planning early. We recommend composing your routine no less than 2.5 months before an event. Less seasoned performers may need even more time to put a polished routine together. Though it is certainly possible to put a routine together in a shorter amount of time, early planning will help you finesse your transitions and flow. This also allows you time to get feedback from your studio and perform a routine you are proud of!

2. Check Music Length Requirements & Dates:

Different divisions and competitions have varying music length requirements and restrictions. Beginner-level routines generally have shorter time restrictions. Often, competitions also restrict the amount of floorwork you can perform about your music - make sure to be familiar with these guidelines. Check to see if there are any minimum length requirements as well, as some competitions have these restrictions.

Make sure to submit an MP3 version of your music. Competitions will not accept a Spotify or YouTube link. It is also not the competition's job to download or pay for an MP3 or MA4 version of your music. Read all of the requirements to avoid getting any deductions. This includes, but is not limited to: file format, music due date, file naming conventions, and rules around explicit language.

3. Choosing a Costume/Character:

You may have a song on your playlist that you have wanted to perform for a long time. This is one way to choose your performance song, but we encourage you to dive a bit deeper before making a final decision. Many competitions will evaluate you based on your characterization and musicality. Take some time to craft your character and understand the nuances of what that character might wear or how they act. The clearer picture you can create for the judges, the more they will connect with it, and it will help you score higher.

4. Understand Deductions and Routine Requirements:

There are general deductions that can be incurred for routines, which include but are not limited to: touching the rigging, not utilizing a crash mat, or wardrobe malfunctions. Especially if you are competing virtually, make sure you have the requirements to submit a routine and have the proper setup to perform. Deductions may also be incurred if you are in the wrong division or if you submit your music late. Stay on top of the performance schedule and due dates to prevent any unnecessary deductions.

Additionally, carefully review the division and apparatus requirements. There are often prohibited skills or compositional requirements for your routine. Make sure to check all of the boxes to you do not get points off for items that go against the competition rules.

5. Get to Know Venue Requirements and Limitations:

Competitions should outline the standard equipment provided by the competition to competitors. This will outline the height of silks, the diameter of lyras, and size of the crash mat. It also should specify the maximum height of the studio space - it might be shorter or taller than your home studio - be aware of these limitations. You will also want to know if the venue has a winch or lift available for performances, and if a studio is utilizing a pulley - if yes, what type of pulley system is utilized.

Understanding the environment will help you prepare your routines and prevent last-minute choreography changes.

6. Practice, Practice, Practice:

Now that you know all of the requirements for the aerial competition, practice your routine until you feel confident. Make sure you can engage with the crowd and judges. Prepare for whether the judges are in-person or virtual. If they are virtual, practice making eye contact with a phone or camera to make sure you can make a connection with them. If you are running into snags in your choreography, change it as needed.

One common mistake is not practicing in your costume prior to your performance. We recommend practicing in it multiple times to determine if it works with the choreography or if a different costume may be needed. Some competitions, like the Dakota Aerial Championship and Black Hills Aerial Cup, have open gym or practice time the day before the competition to test their apparatuses. If this is available, we recommend taking advantage of it and practicing in costume.

Checklist for Performance Day:

1. Costume:

Make sure your costume is packed. Do you have your outfit in totality, including tights or socks if needed? Do you know how you are wearing your hair, and have you practiced with it in this style before? Forgetting a component of your costume can strongly impact your routine, character, and composure.

2. Grip Aids (If Needed):

Before you leave your studio, make sure you grab any grip aid products you plan to use for your performance. Especially if you utilize dynamics or struggle with nerves, having this will help you feel confident. Make sure you remember to pack it if you need it!

3. Understand Starting Cues and Schedule Times:

Make sure you understand when you need to arrive at the venue and when your stage testing is. Always arrive early, as you do not know if the schedule will be running early or behind.

The event staff should tell you if you need to stand somewhere specific before your performance and when to step on stage. If you need clarity on where to go or what the cue is for the music starting, please ask. Additionally, make sure to know what the cue is to signal that your routine is completed. It may be a bow or the end of your music. Knowing these cues will help your routine stay polished and help you feel confident from start to finish.

4. Remember to Stretch!:

Take some time before stage testing and your performance to stretch and mentally walk through the moves of your routine. This will help prep your body both mentally and physically for your performance.

5. Find What Works For You:

Whether it is wearing a lucky pair of underwear or a special meal you eat before performing, find what works for you. Your process may be different than others. Maybe watching your competitors gets you hyped for your routine, whereas for others, it stresses them out. Know that you never need to watch your competition, and you need to do what is best for you! Figure out your rituals and routines and stick to them so you have consistency and confidence.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide gives you the tools to succeed in your first (or hundredth) aerial competition. If you are looking for a competition that is inclusive of all skill levels, ages, and in-person and virtual submission types, we would love to invite you to our competition, The Dakota Aerial Championship. This competition takes place on the second weekend of November each year. You can see the full guidelines, timelines, and pricing on our Official Competition Page.

We wish you the best of luck in your future performance endeavors!