The National Syncronised Pole Dance Squad help its first national competition to find a 'routine for the nation'.

Their vision was to create a synchronised routine that could be rolled out to pole performers all over the Country to learn, enjoy and perform together.

There was strict judging criterea to make sure the routine was suitable for the majority to learn - it had to be at an amateur level and have a cetain number of tricks and spins.

Since opening the studio back in November we have been waiting to get involved in the various competitions that happen across the country. We felt - for our first ever competition that this would be the perfect oppotunity - as we could perform as a double.

We got to work making up a routine, and after a few song changes, we settled on Cheryl Cole's 'Parachute' - we wanted a salsa theme, with dramatic arms and interesting shapes.

We both have different backgrounds and dance styles but found that we could pool our ideas together to make the routine interesting, and because we have danced together for nearly 1 1/2 years we tend to syncronise with each other even without realising!

Still it took a lot of hours and a lot of repetition and working on the smallest things to get the routine to where we were happy with it - and this wasnt too long before the competition itself!

After a long build up - we were very excited to finally set off for Plymouth on the 23rd May 2010. We arrived at the Oceana club in good time for our rehersal slot and got a quick glimpse of the pole Affinity girls who were excellent. The lovely Miss Kay Penny was in charge of looking after all the competitors and she showed us round the huge club and where our dressing rooms etc would be.

We had our rehersal - got very hot! Its always very different doing it on stage - especially on an x-stage as well - so after running through a few times - we were a little nervous for the evening but overall it went ok.

Then it was off to get some grub and then get ready for our entrance in the hummer!

We met the rest of the competitors at a hotel near by and got a cheeky picture with some firemen while we were waiting. The huge hummer arrived and managed to fit us all in easily - 16 girls!

We arrived at the Oceana club to full red carpet treatment - photographers, camera crews and an actual red carpet! then on to the stage to be introduced to the crowd.

Michaela Roberts was the host for the evening and she ran through the rules and introduced the judges.

UK Pole Dance Day!!! - http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/8133784.Taunton_dancers_mark_Pole_Dancing_Day/

This day was created by Equity Pole Dancers Working Party, as an oppotunity to show the nation just had fabulous Pole Dance really is - all the hard work that goes into it and how graceful it can be.

With this in mind and with this being our very first we thought we'd have a bit of a bash at the studio!.

We opened the doors at 12:00 for a free Pole dance taster for members of the public - to come and try it out for themselves. We had a great turn out and everyone loved trying out something new.

Next up was a free 4 hour pole jam - where we invited our students and anyone else that fancied it the chance to come and have a play and a natter and talk alls things pole. We set us extra poles in the dance studio so we had 9 poles on the go!

Lots of lovely ladies dropped in and stayed for a jam - we tried some doubles moves and new tricks and generally larked about doing what we love.

Lots of lovely ladies dropped in and stayed for a jam - we tried some doubles moves, new tricks and generally larked about doing what we love to do!

Although it did get a bit tiring for some.......!

After finding out that Miss Suzie Q was coming over from Australia to the UK for a tour - we jumped at the chance for a masterclass.

Suzie Q is a world-renowned pole dancer, burlesque and aerial artist. The Penthouse Pet, former Miss Nude Australia and winner of the Arena TV series "Erotic Star" is the perpetual Runner Up of Miss Pole Dance Australia, host of Sexpo around Australia (alongside comedian Russell Gilbert) and proud owner of Suzie Q Pole Studio in Parramatta'.

WELL! We were offered the opportunity to go help out at MPD and jumped at the chance to go check out the best pole dancers in the country.

The event was held at Scala, a huge venue with balconies, a great stage and glass VIP bar. We arrived at 1pm and quickly got changed in to the R-Pole uniform. A free-standing 38mm R-pole and a 50mm platinum stage had been set up in the foyer and after meeting our fellow r-polers Kati Hattle and Mirander Goldring we got to work showing the arriving spectators what pole dancing is all about! The girls were all fabulous and loved the new poles.

Unfortunately there was a delay in the start of the show so we were asked to entertain everyone in the VIP bar, which meant more pole dancing so we were happy to oblige. Even some members of the audience came up and had a go.

Finally the stage was ready and the knockout rounds began. The top 2 singles and the top doubles went through to the finals so the pressure was on! Sally Steel and Maxine Betts went through as did Penny Howarth and Anna Chisholm from the doubles.

After a quick cup of tea we went back in to help the VIP's find their way and got ourselves a workout by stomping the 11 flights of stairs in heels many many times! Was worth it through as got to have a good old giggle on the way up and even got ourselves interviewed by a tv crew (not sure who though!)

At 8 o'clock it was time to go backstage and get ready for the FINAL! All the competitors were in their evening gowns to be announced and looked stunning. We were the pole cleaners and made sure the poles were cleaned in between each performances and the stage was clear. Was lots of fun shimmying up the 4 metre poles in front of such a big crowd and we got a (tiny) feel for the buzz the competitors must have felt. Have huge respect for all who entered and they put on an amazing show. The strength, grace and ability that they showed was breathtaking as the gasps from the audience confirmed!

Some outstanding performances came from the guest performers, Alasia Vazmitsel -  last years winner and 2 male pole performers, both from France. One in particular - Keem, blew us away. His mix of contemporary dance and pole dance was truly inspirational and we shall be keeping a beedy little eye on youtube for that one!

After a nervous wait the results were finally announced:

Winner Miss Pole Dance UK 2009 - Maxine Betts

2nd - Tracy Simmonds

3rd - Kaila

Winners Miss Pole Dance Uk 2009 Doubles - Penny Howarth and Anna Chisholm (they also won best outfits in the knockouts)

Doubles runners up - Deb Riley and Sasha Kavaleva

Best Entertainer - Penny Howarth and Anna Chisholm

Best Tricks - Deb Riley and Sasha Kavaleva

Best outfit - Justine McLucas

We were a little sleepy. so after stealing most of Debbie Merchant's champagne we scuttled off for a MacDonalds and BED!

Congratulations to all the performers - you were amazing. Big up Pole Passion for putting on such an amazing event. Roll on next year - we cant wait!

For pictures of the event please visit www.poledancingphotography.com

Pole Passion Blog - List of finalists

After we'd taken the poles down in the studio and sqeezed them into Amy's car we scooted over to Norton Village hall where we promptly put them back up again!

We had a quick run through and Emma - the President of the WI Lite arrived to go through what was happening later. The Gazette and BBC Somerset Sound showed up to take some pictures and do some interviews and then the ladies began to arrive.

After some cups of tea and a good chat Emma went through some WI business and then handed them over to us.

We started with a Zumba fitness class - where we took them through Merengue, Salsa, Calypso and even some African styles to name but a few! The ladies really went for it and there was lots of laughing when the booty shaking began! This was our first Zumba class and we cant wait to do it on a regular basis. We have a huge number of songs and routines to keep shaking things up and keep people on their toes!

Next (after catching our breath!) we moved on to pole dance where we did a quick demo of some moves you can learn before offereing the WI Lite ladies the chance to have a go themselves. Led by Margaret from the WI nearly all came up to try some spins and legs hooks and all looked fabulous in the process.

As things began to wind down, the poles were taken down and packed up ready to get sqeezed back in to Amy's car and the ladies said their goodbyes, all a bit tired after the energietic WI meeting!

A big thankyou to everyone who came and took part and to Emma for inviting us along. Our first outing as Studio 22 was a lot of fun and we can't wait to do the next one!

Keep an eye out in this Thursdays Somerset Gazette and listen in to BBC radio Somerset Sound on Wednesday between 7am and 9am.

The refurb on the studio has begun!

Walls have been moved to create a larger studio area and you can begin to see how it will look when its all done. The waiting area is looking snug, although at the moment its full of rubble, so that's a job for next week!

The front doors have been sanded and painted white to match Curves and they look 10 x better. Just the windows to go, now that the 'to let' sign has been taken down - woop woop!

Electrician and plaster in next week and its all go go go!

Hope everyone's weekend was faboosh x

We scooted on up to Birmingham NEC for the leisure industry week. It was packed with everything to do with the health and fitness industry from new energy drinks to dance mats (watch this space)

X-pole were there to promote some amazing new features and products that they have coming out. They were also doing some classes in front of a live audience so of course we jumped at the chance to play on the pole with the fabulous Miss Suzie Q , Sally Ann Giles and Annie Norris . New tricks were learnt, old tricks were made good and closed minds were opened to the fun of pole!