Novice:  One who, on November 1 of the event year, has had aerial arts training of up to one (1) year of training or 155 hours of training, whichever is longer.

Amateur:  One who has had aerial arts training between one (1) to three (3) years, or up to 465 hours of training, AND has not received compensation related to any aerial performance or for instructions. 

Elite: *NEW CATEGORY* Limited only to ages 7-17, one who has had aerial arts training over three years, or over 465 hours of training, regardless of whether one received compensation as an aerial performer or instructor.  

Learn more:   What’s the Hype with the “Elite” Class?

Professional: One who, whether intermittently or regularly, receives compensation for aerial arts instruction and/or performances.

UPGRADES: Competitors can upgrade from their original registered categories provided they meet the required skills for the next level. For example: Changing from “Novice” to “Amateur” or from “Amateur” to “Elite.” However, no downgrading of categories is allowed after you submit your registration so please make sure you review the category requirements and select your correct qualifying category when registering. Deadline to Upgrade is October 1.

NOVICE: 

• BASIC Entrances to Wraps, Inversions and Combinations
• Stand Alone Single Drop/ Roll/ Dive (no multiple or double)
• No consecutive drops, or combination or slide, drops and rolls. You may
  however fully stop on each element.
• For Vertical Apparatus (Silks/ Rope): Need to demonstrate BASIC entrance to
  footlock/s, crossbacks and other fundamental wraps
• *Please note that the word “BASIC” is stressed out. Any fancy entrance will receive
  an infraction.

AMATEUR: 

• At least one (1) inversion combination;
• Shall demonstrate an element of Flexibility;
• Shall demonstrate an element of a Roll, Drop or Dive; and
• Shall only perform skills that can be safely executed and have been mastered.

ELITE:

• For Vertical Apparatus (Silks or Rope): At least two (2) consecutive Straddle Climb, OR any two (2) consecutive Inversion Climb;
• Shall demonstrate at least one (1) consecutive/ multiple Roll, Drop or Dive; 
• Shall demonstrate at least (2) Flexibility skills;
• Shall demonstrate at least one element with Dynamic movement or a combination thereof;
• Shall demonstrate at least one element of Static movement; and 
• Shall only perform skills that can be safely executed and that have been mastered.

PROFESSIONAL: This category does not mandate any specific parameters provided
that they can safely, confidently, and skillfully perform their act.

*NEW* The duration of your act will depend on your routine. There is a minimum and maximum length of time, as follows:

• Individual Routines: 2-3 minutes
• Duo Routines: 4 minutes
• Group Routines: 5 minutes

We shall begin timing your act in any of this circumstances: 
     – the music starts
     – there is ground movement/ dance/ acrobatics/ contortion exhibition or aerial choreography before the music starts
     – you wrap extensively or get into intricate pose before the music starts
     – you climb to the top of your apparatus before starting your music. 

If your act falls outside the duration range, there shall be up to 10 points deduction. 

NOVICE:  Participant cannot go beyond 15 ft. in height

ALL OTHER DIVISIONS: Participant cannot go beyond 19 ft. in height

Mats are required and will be provided by WCAAF.   If you are swinging in your routine, make sure you are within the mat coverage area which will be approximately 6×8 ft.   We can extend some coverage up to about 2 feet more upon request.   If you have a floor choreography, you must arrange for someone to push in the mat once you are suspended/airborne.

You can use any of the apparatus provided by the festival.  If you are bringing your own, an inspection of your apparatus will be conducted during festival registration day.  

The execution of your competition routine is assumed to have been mastered upon presentation during the competition.  We highly recommend to choose your skills carefully, and that you are able to perform them well to ensure safety and prevent slips and falls.  Please take notes of the skill guidelines for each level. 

• File format:  MP3.  The file should be downloadable and emailed to us

Under the Subject Line please include the contestant’s full name, apparatus, and music title. Example: “Jane Smith Silks – Song Title”.

• Submission Deadline:  October 15.   

• Music should be clean – free from explicit wordings otherwise this will be flagged and muted. 

• Music submissions will be reviewed by our committee who will contact competitors if their music does not fall within their required time lengths and/or contains inappropriate wording or suggestive themes. 

• Please email your music ASAP to allow time for us to review and notify you of potential editing that may be required.

Note:  Any changes in music after November 1 may have consequences including the inability to use the music of their choice or a late fee charge.  During the registration day, all applicants are required to check their music in our database to ensure the correct submission.   

Copyright Music:  We encourage copyright-free music, however any clean music is acceptable.  After the event, we will feature winning pieces on our media channels and will ask you to acquire permission from the artist and/or producer as necessary, otherwise your music may be replaced when
featured.

Costume is encouraged, but NO PROPS are allowed.

Your costume would need to be secured.  Any dangling of material (including unsecured skirt) may be subject to infraction in our score of up to ten (10) points.

We suggest unitard-based costumes.  If leotard is worn, please avoid thin flesh tights for the lower garment and instead wear leggings.

Because of our young competitors and audience members, we ask that costumes be family-friendly with appropriate coverage. If you are unsure of whether or not your costume is family-friendly, then email us at aerialartsamerica@gmail.com with a photo of your costume (for skirts – we will require an inverted pose) no later than November 1 to address any costume issues.

Any costume that is not previously approved may be rejected at the competition rounds if the committee deems the costume in violation of our policy and/or potentially poses danger in the execution of your routine.

For any category, there must be at least 80% aerial related movement within your act.  Any ground movement that does not connect with the aerial apparatus, e.g. dance, acrobatics or contortion, does not carry weight when scored.  Judges are instructed to score according to skills exhibited with the aerial discipline.