Recently, Quesnel locals Joel Kolenchuk and Jenny Phillips, also known as Vile Pole Arts, qualified and competed at the Canadian Pole Fitness Championship provincials in New Westminster.
They went into the competition knowing they were up against stiff competition. In fact, one of the opposing teams included an international champion in the soloist division.
Regardless of the competition and many trials and tribulations, including injuries, car troubles and the competition itself running nearly two hours late, Vile stepped onto the stage ready to perform with spirits high, giving the judges and the audience quite a show.
"It wasn’t a performance, but an experience,” one audience member said.
“I forgot that I was at a competition and completely lost myself in the performance. I literally swooned in my seat."
Through the art of pole dancing, the duo told a heart wrenching saga of love and loss and the fears that come with both.
Their performance showcased balancing acts, hand to hand acrobatics, dance lifts and pole moves that have never been seen before in the pole industry.
"We wanted to be as original as possible, to really showcase exactly who Vile is," Kolenchuk said.
The risk of using such unconventional material paid off. After much deliberation, the judges came to a decision – Vile placed a close second.
They finished so close that they too were invited to represent B.C. at the Canadian Pole Fitness Nationals, in Ontario, Oct. 5.
"It was an honour to step onto the stage, alongside some of the greats." Phillips said.
Now, as the two polers prepare for the next, and biggest step in their competition career, Quesnel can boast having fostered some national level talent and, who knows, with a little luck and a lot of hard work, maybe even competitors in the Pole Fitness World Championships.
You can follow Vile Pole Arts on Facebook and even join in the pole-ing fun, as Phillips is a certified Pole Fitness instructor who would love to build a pole community right here in Quesnel.
"I would love to see more people in our community become passionate about Pole," she said.
–Submitted by Sandra Pelletier