aerial-arts
Kalamata Aerial Acrobatics
Festival & Competition
20 - 21 JUNE 2026
Kalamata Dance Cup
'Aerial Arts Edition'
Competitions Events & Show Performances
Welcome to the Aerial & Acro Arts World of 'Dance Challenge' | RULES
In the Kalamata Dance Cup Festival (Aerial Acrobatics Competition) everyone can participate regardless of age or dancing level and take part in the competitive events and/or the Showdance Performances. Participants can be Greeks and foreigners, members of gymnastics clubs, academies, federations, organizations, dance schools, public and private schools, dance clubs, gyms, etc. but also independent entries that do not exclusively represent any body. Contest participants are expected to be honest in representing their levels and abilities (category, level, age, music time limit, number of dancers). Participants in Show Performances have no restrictions other than the duration of their choreography.
REGISTRATION: THE OFFICIAL ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION PLATFORM WILL OPEN IN EARLY APRIL AND CLOSE ON JUNE 10
RULES OF AERIAL Acrobatics COMPETITION
METHODS OF EXECUTION:
Athletes will compete according to their age category according to the competition schedule. During the match, only the coach is allowed to be present on the field together with the athlete (for safety reasons). No objects are allowed on the playing field.
LOCATION - VENUE:
The Competition will be held at the Municipal Kalamata Seaside Indoor Stadium (National Stadium), the only venue in Kalamata ensuring maximum safety for our aerial athletes, following inspection & fitness certification by a specialized engineer.
DISTINCTION BETWEEN BEGINNER AND ADVANCED LEVELS:
To clarify the boundaries between the beginner and advanced categories, we provide a list of elements that should not be included in beginner-level routines. If any of these elements are present, even just one, the athlete will automatically be placed in the advanced category.
For any clarifications regarding specific movements, please contact us at the responsible person’s phone number: +306937299323
Silks: Neck hang, Free drops with apparatus re-grip, No hands balance elements, One arm hanging, Planks-Levers, Inversions with extended legs and arms, Flips, Roll ups
Sling: Inversions with extended legs and arms, Neck hang, Combination of more than two drops, One arm hanging, Σανίδες Planks-Levers
Hoop: Inversions with extended legs and arms, Free fall from the higher to the lower bar, One arm hanging, Toe hook, Neck hang, Heel hang, Planks-Levers
Regarding the children’s categories (from Juniors 1 and below), free drops with apparatus regrip, flips, and neck hangs are generally prohibited for safety reasons. Neck hangs are also prohibited for the Juniors 2 and Youth categories.
Additionally, for safety reasons and in compliance with regulations applied internationally, the athlete’s coach must be present next to them during their performance to ensure immediate intervention in case of an error.
For further clarifications, we remain at your disposal.
EVALUATION CRITERIAS:
Category: Solo Aerial Acrobatics
Artistic Performance: Technique (10), Presentation (10), Expression (10), Transitions-Range of Use of the Apparatus (10), Music, Rhythm & Choreography (10) Total: 50 points
Category: Duo, Group Aerial Acrobatics
Artistic Performance: Technique (10), Presentation (5), Expression(5), Transitions-Range of Use of the Apparatus (10), Music, Rhythm & Choreography (10), Synchronization (10) Total: 50 points
Common for all categories:
Execution-Difficulty: Drops (10), Rolls (10), Dynamic elements (10), Balances & Supports (10), Flexibility (10) Total: 50 points
PENALTIES – AERIAL ACROBATICS:
● Costume issues: -5 points
● Program not synchronized with music / exceeding music time limit: -5 points
● Contact with the floor during choreography without restarting with a spin: -5 points
● Contact with the floor more than once during choreography – premature interruption of choreography: -10 points
● Slipping on the apparatus: -5 points
● Fall from the apparatus: -10 points
EVALUATION BREAKDOWN:
● Technique: The correct, precise, controlled, and safe execution of elements, with proper movement mechanics and lines.
● Presentation: Costume, makeup, and the overall aesthetic.
Expression: The portrayal of the character and the music’s emotions through movement and facial expression.
Transitions / Range of Use of the Apparatus: The quality and originality of connecting and transitioning through the elements, and the use of the full range of the apparatus (including the strap for the aerial hoop).
Music / Rhythm / Choreography: The combination of the chosen music with the movement composition, so that movements are synchronized with the rhythm, creating a complete artistic result.
Synchronization: The simultaneous and uniform execution of movements, elements, and apparatus handling by two or more athletes, with shared rhythm, timing, and quality of movement; or the rhythmic and balanced complementary cooperation when there is an intentional variation of movements.
Drops: Elements involving sudden loss of height (e.g., knee drop, slack drop, kamikaze drop, coffin drop, hip drop, etc.).
Rolls: Elements involving wrapping and gaining height, or unwrapping and losing height (e.g., roll-ups of all types, salto, forward roll, dive roll, windmill, star drop, etc.).
Includes all types of rolls for the hoop and trapeze. Elements that gain height score higher.
Dynamic Moves: Elements requiring explosive strength, speed, and intense muscular activation, such as pushes, swings, and flight elements on the apparatus (e.g., re-grip elements, swings and beats as entry or transition into elements, back flag, dislocations, illusion, etc.).
Balances & Supports: Static elements maintaining a specific body position with control, stability, and strength on one or more points of support (e.g., back/front/hip balance, arrow, music box, iron cross, side cross, splits without hands, front and back lever, meathook, etc.).
Flexibility: Elements requiring large and high-quality range of motion in the joints (e.g., front/middle split, rotisserie, scorpio, spatchcock, jigsaw, crossback straddle, Russian split, arabesque, etc.).
The judges’ scoring system is supported by PolisArt Scating System, using special touch tablets for the judges.
COSTUME RESTRICTIONS: All participants’ performances must comply with the costume regulations.
COSTUME RULES:
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Proper and decent attire is required, without being provocative. Special attention should be given to overexposure of specific body areas (chest – buttocks). Leotards must adequately cover the buttocks area. Costumes that do not comply with the ethical standards of the competition will be rejected if they are not age-appropriate.
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Participants’ costumes must not include objects that could cause injury to the competitor or damage the apparatus, such as earrings that may get caught in the fabric, rhinestones in the hair, studs, etc.
AERIAL EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENT SPECIFICATIONS:
The aerial equipment of the event is certified by international bodies and more specifically the aerial objects that will be suspended by a certified group of circus riggers inside the playing area will be the following:
1) 1 SLING - USABLE LENGTH APPROXIMATELY 5,5 METERS, WITH SWIVEL (ONE FIXED POINT) - VERTICAL WISE
2) 1 SILK - USABLE LENGTH APPROXIMATELY 7 METERS, WITH RESCUE 8 AND SWIVEL - VERTICAL WISE
3) 2 HOOPS: 1 HOOP - ZERO POINT, INTERNAL DIAMETER 95, WITH COTTON TAPE AND A 3 METERS ROUND SLING IN A CHOKER HITCH, WITH SWIVEL AND 1 HOOP - ZERO POINT, INTERNAL DIAMETER 100, WITH COTTON TAPE AND A 3 METERS ROUND SLING IN A CHOKER HITCH, WITH SWIVEL
4) 1 STATIC TRAPEZE - WITH 3 METERS WHITE COTTON ROPES WITH STAINLESS STEEL BAR 52CM LONG AND 25MM THICK
5) 1 DOUBLE SLING - WITH USABLE LENGTH APPROXIMATELY 3 METERS, WITH SWIVEL AND RIGGING PLATE
6) 1 ROPE - TOTAL LENGTH 6 METERS OF BLACK COLOR DIAMOND PATTERN 36MM DIAMETER, WITH SWIVEL
7) 1 PAIR OF STRAPS - 2.5 METERS TO 5 METERS ADJUSTABLE LENGTH WHITE, WITH SWIVELS AND HANGER
SAFETY LAYERS
The safety layers will be 8 special layers of 2 X 2 meters and 10 cm thick and 1 layer of 1.5 X 2 with a thickness of 20 cm. All instruments and components to be used in the competition are tested and certified.
Attention*** If a school wishes to present a team or duo, etc., must provide itself the extra equipment that will be needed. You must notify us in time by the end of the submission of participation declarations. Upon agreement, this presentation can be allowed.
In any case, any extra equipment should be presented to the event no later than Friday 21/6.
Remark: ***Any type of movement beyond the vertical support axis of the instrument is prohibited (swings)***The adjustment of the desired height of the instrument from the ground will be done by adding and removing layers.
JUDGES:
The official Adjudicators of the Competition will be divided into parts. The Judges schedule will be announced after the final schedule is announced.
GENERAL ORGANIZATION REGULATIONS
All participants must have valid health insurance during the days of the competition and the entire event.
The Festival has a charitable purpose. Part of the total proceeds of the event will be donated to charity.
Participants may register on the entry form either for the Competition in various aerial disciplines or for a non-competitive Aerial Show Performance (artistic performance). They may register for both by submitting separate registrations on the same platform.
By completing the registration form, all participants certify that they have read and agree to comply with the terms and regulations of the event.
Participation in the Festival is considered valid only with registration through the official platform
https://www.kalamatadancecup.com/dancecup/regform/userregistration.php (which will open in April) and payment of the participation fee by 12/6/2025.
The official registration platform will open in April and close at the end of May. Once registrations close, no participation will be considered valid.
Participants are responsible for their own health and personal belongings. The organization bears no responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage of personal items. Responsibility lies solely with the competitor.
Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, who will be exclusively responsible for anything that occurs.
Refunds are not accepted. The only exceptions are cancellation for medical reasons (which must be supported by a medical certificate), or a change of dates or cancellation of the event.
By registering, each participant waives their intellectual property rights for photos, videos, etc., which may be used by the organizers for promotional purposes.
The use of any material/object that may be dangerous to participants or spectators (such as fire, needles, knives, etc.) is strictly prohibited and will result in automatic disqualification.
Consumption of alcohol or any prohibited substance before or during the competition is strictly forbidden. Non-compliance will result in automatic disqualification.
On the day before the competition (Friday), during breaks, and earlier before the start of the event, free rehearsals may take place.
The organizers do not interfere with the decisions of the Judging Panel and bear no responsibility for the final results.
Participants (athletes – dancers – coaches) are not allowed to approach the table of the Organizing Committee or Judges.
Participants must check in and be present at the venue at least one hour before the scheduled start of their category to avoid delays.
The final schedule will be announced 10 days after the registration closes. The organization reserves the right to modify the schedule if necessary.
Coaches and athletes must behave with fair play and sportsmanship at all times during the competition and award ceremonies.
Any gesture, expression, costume, or song with sexual content is strictly prohibited on and off stage.
The overall presentation must not include any form of racist symbols, language, or behavior. Any such case will lead to automatic disqualification.
Competitors are expected to be honest in representing their level and abilities. The organization reserves the right to change category if the execution level and chosen elements do not match the declared category.
Songs and choreographies must last strictly within the time limits set by the organization for each category. After the time limit, the music will be stopped and the competitor must finish the performance.
Once the choreography starts, it cannot be stopped or repeated, unless this occurs within the first 20 seconds or in case of a technical issue caused by the organization.
Teams must send their music to the official music email:
