THREE women from Anglesey and Gwynedd will take on the UK’s best competitive pole dancers after making their mark at a recent competition.
Heather Walker, Nikki Lines will compete at the UKAPP (UK Amateur Pole Performer) while Emma Boutet will go to the BIPDC (British Isles Pole Dance Championships) after impressing the judges at the North Wales Pole Competition in Colwyn Bay.
19-year-old Bangor University French student Heather said that she was delighted to win the intermediate category.
“Obviously I won, so I was very pleased with the performance,” she said. “I wasn’t really sure what to expect but it was very enjoyable.Competitive pole dancing has a world championship and competitions held across the UK, but the event at the Colwyn Bay Theatre was the first of its kind in Wales.
26-year-old Emma, of Bangor, said that she was looking forward to testing her skills in Essex on October 16 after finishing second in the professional category .
“I wasn’t happy with my performance in Colwyn Bay, but as long as I do myself proud and walk on the stage with a smile, I’ll be happy,” she said.
She added that competitive pole dancing was a great way to stay in shape and build confidence.
“I’ve tried netball, swimming, horseriding - anything that you can get your hands on and after all that I’ve never found a sport that works all your muscles like pole dancing,” she said.
“There’s a real feeling of a achievement when you nail a move.”
Heather and Nikki will perform routines with a Hollywood theme against competitors from across the UK at the UKAPP grand final on September 25.
North Wales Pole Competition organiser Tracy Huckfield, who trained the women at Pagan’s Pole in Valley, said that the girls’ hard work had paid off.
“I’m absolutely bowled over - they’ve worked so hard,” she said. “I’ve watched the hours of practising so to watch them on stage was brilliant.”
She added: “It’s about time that Wales was put on the pole dancing map.”