I’ve been lucky enough to sit in the audience at the South West Australia Pole Competition for the last couple of years so I thought I knew what to expect when I arrived at the South West Italian Club on Saturday night.
But before long I realised this event has not rested on its past success but pushed the boundaries to become even more gasp-worthy than I thought possible.
The audience obviously knew they were in for a treat as the show sold out during the day and the Italian Club was packed to the rafters with excited fans.
It was straight into the action as the stage lit up with an introductory performance which showcased just what Tracey Ecclestone’s Polercise WA studio is all about – gracefully athletic aerial fitness performed on not just poles, but hoops and silks as well.
The competition has grown since its debut in 2011 and this time around we were offered not just talented women but doubles performances and male competitors for the very first time.
Each performer choreographed their routine as a tribute to a theme, which meant we were delivered everything from a moving tribute to depression awareness, an uplifting visit from Dolly Parton, a heart-warming tribute to love and a Baywatch-themed performance from David Hasselhoff.
The night was interspersed with some light-hearted fun as men were invited to pit their skills against each other in climbing the pole with just their arms.
Bunbury woman Caris Hilder is no stranger to this competition which was immediately obvious when she took the stage in the spirit of the Great Gatsby, with a flapper-esque look and moves to match.
She turned the performance into a party with a magnificent finale when confetti exploded out across the crowd.
Miss Hilder’s performance saw her named the female winner of the show, while a comical but very entertaining routine from Bunbury’s James Foster saw him claim the male title with his tribute to the Hoff.
Local talents Jaye Wulff and Carly Allen put on a breath-taking tribute to their sisterly love, with perfectly-timed synchronisation and incredible strength.
Another highlight of the night was a performance from Australia’s Got Talent semi-finalist Joanna Littlewood-Johnson, who sat on the judging panel for the night and stunned the crowd with her polished skill.
Everyone brave enough to take the stage and all the crew involved behind the scenes deserves a huge congratulations for making the South West Australia Pole Competition a must-see event on Bunbury’s calendar.
