CYA?

Can You Aerial? Competition

Information and Rules

 

The first round of “Can You Aerial? the competition” will be done by video entry. From video entries the top 3 from each category (For own choreo) & the top 6 from each category (For set solos) will be invited to the live finals at CYD? Super Convention in Liverpool on the 11th of October 2025 to have the chance to compete live in front of our pencil of judges to be the overall winner of their category.

 

Important dates

The closing date for video entries is: 31st July 2025

The finalists will be announced on the: 1st September 2025 via social media and invited to join us at the finals in Liverpool on the 11th of October 2025.

 

Judges

There will be ONE judge for video entries and Two at the live finals.

 

Own Choreography

Categories:

Age categories are split in to: 

Junior (Ages 6-10), 

Senior (Ages 11-14), 

15 and Over (Ages 15+). 

 

In each age category, competitors are able to enter Aerial Hoop, Aerial Silks or Duo. If more than one category is being entered, multiple entry forms must be filled out.

 

Competitors must enter at the age they will be on the date of the Final (11th October 2025) and the deadline for video entries is the 31st July 2025. 

All competitors who are invited to the final under the age of 18 must have a chaperone with them throughout the whole final. 

 

Equipment:

In the FINAL at the CYD? Super Convention, all competitors must use the same equipment, at the same heights. For Aerial Hoop, a 90cm hoop will be provided, with a height option of 100cm, 130cm or 150cm off of the floor. They are zero point hoops choked on strops. For Aerial Silks, Firetoys Medium Stretch Silks will be provided at a height of 6m. Both pieces of apparatus will be rigged with a swivel.

 

For video entries, any equipment can be used, bearing in mind you will need to swap to the above if you get through to the final. 

 

Category

Disallowed Moves

Beginner Hoop

Top Bar/Strop Moves 

Intermediate Hoop

Rolls 

Advanced Hoop

Any moves 

Beginner Silks

Drops above 4 climbs 

Intermediate Silks

Open Lock Drops 

Advanced Silks

Any moves 

 

If a competitor includes a disallowed move in their routine, the judges have the right to disqualify the competitor from the category.

 

Scoring

Each competitor is scored out of 100 points, by each judge. The judging criteria is as follows, with each aspect being marked out of 10.

• Theme/Concept

• Floorwork (if none, Choreography score will be doubled)

• Trick Complexity and Ability*

• Trick Presentation

• Choreography

• Overall Impression

• Musicality 

• Performance 

• Precision

• Dynamics

*If tricks are not deemed to be executed safely by the judges, this will impact the Trick Complexity and Ability Score.

 

Video Entries for own choreo

These must be filmed in one shot, no edited videos will be allowed. Please ensure there are no other people in the background of your video and the music is able to be heard clearly and in time with the choreography. Ensure you are groomed as if it were an in person competition.

 

Music

Entries must be 2-3 minutes long. A 5 second buffer will be allowed, however, any performance outside of this buffer will be disqualified.

No explicit language is permitted.

All music for the final needs emailing to rollup@showtimecircus.co.uk and titled with the competitors name and category by 1st October. 

 

*NEW FOR 2025* 

 

Set Solos

These are pre-made choreography to set songs. The routines incorporate dance, acro and aerial (Hoop, silks or trapeze) as well as a small section to show off additional circus skills or more dance/acro. Once you have submitted your entry form, the set routine will be sent to you via email within 2 - 3 days. 

 

Categories and ages

Each set solo category has 2 age groups. Ages 6 - 10 & Ages 11-16. 

The categories are as follow: 

Beginner Trapeze (6-10 & 11-16)

Beginner Silks (6-10 & 11-16)

Beginner Hoop (6-10 & 11-16)

Intermediate Trapeze (6-10 & 11-16)

Intermediate Silks (6-10 & 11-16)

Intermediate Hoop (6-10 & 11-16)

Advanced Trapeze (6-10 & 11-16)

Advanced Silks (6-10 & 11-16)

Advanced Hoop (6-10 & 11-16)

If more than one category is being entered, multiple entry forms must be filled out.

 

Competitors must enter at the age they will be on the date of the Final (11th October 2025) and the deadline for video entries is the 31st July 2025. 

All competitors who are invited to the final under the age of 18 must have a chaperone with them throughout the whole final. 

 

Set Solos Scoring

Each competitor is scored out of 100 points, by each judge. The judging criteria is as follows, with each aspect being marked out of 25.

• Technique

• Musicality 

• Performance 

• Overall Impression 

Set solos Video Entries

These must be filmed in one shot, no edited videos will be allowed. Please ensure there are no other people in the background of your video and the music is able to be heard clearly and in time with the choreography. Ensure you are groomed as if it were an in person competition. Videos for this need to be emailed to rollup@showtimecircus.co.uk with the subject as the competitors full name, category and age by the 31st of July.

 

Set Solo Finals

The highest scoring 6 competitors from each category will be performing head to head alongside other aerialists doing the same routine. Judges are aware of the compulsory elements of each routine. Dancers will need to perform in front of their rig only and provide any additional circus equipment themselves. 

 

On The Day of the FINAL. 

No alcohol or drugs may be consumed prior to performance.

Competitors are responsible for ensuring they are warmed up prior to their performance.

Every competitor must use a crash mat appropriate to the skill level they are demonstrating. A variety of mats will be provided by the event organisers. Judges are permitted to stop, and potentially disqualify, a performance if they feel it is unsafe or believe that an inappropriate mat has been used.

By signing up to the Can You Aerial? Competition, you are agreeing to potentially be videoed and photographed for marketing purposes.

If a competitor decides to pull out of the competition, the entry fee is non-refundable and the space will be opened up to another competitor.