Many of you are wondering about the creation of the new “Elite” class. What has changed, and why did we feel the need to introduce this category?
The decision to create the “Elite” class stems from our commitment to ensuring fair and balanced competitions for all participants. Previously, we grouped aerialists who had been training for over a year or its equivalent of 165 hours into one category. However, we observed significant disparities in skill levels among these participants, which sometimes led to uneven competition.
One of the challenges in aerial arts is that different schools have varying methods and intensities of training. This variability made it difficult to ensure that participants were competing on a truly level playing field. To address this, we chose to base the separation of aerialists on an objective factor: the duration of training. Aerialists who have accumulated 465 hours or more of training, equivalent to 3+ years, now fall into the “Elite” category. By using time as the criterion, we aimed to make the competition as fair and consistent as possible, regardless of the specific training methods each school employs.
Key Changes:
- Objective Separation: The “Elite” class was created to separate aerialists who have trained for 465 hours or more, or 3+ years. This ensures a fairer competition and more accurate placement opportunities for participants (at all levels of experience).
- Self-Placement and Verification: Participants have the option to self-place in the appropriate category, which is then confirmed by their school or coach. This ensures that each aerialist competes in the category best suited to their training level.
- Maintained Standards and Creative Freedom: The mandatory skills for the “Elite” class are generally the same as those required last year, ensuring continuity and familiarity. However, this structure still allows participants and their coaches the freedom to express their unique creative elements, encouraging innovation and artistry within the framework of the competition.
We’re excited to introduce the Elite category utilizing training duration as an objective criteria. This increases award opportunities and levels the playing field. We believe intruding this category aligns with our mission to enhance aerial arts education.
Helpful Links:
Registration Information & General Competition Guidelines
Email Us: aerialartsamerica@gmail.com
