Interview with KT Coates

With only a few days away from the start of the 2012 London Olympics, the world’s finest pole sport athletes will come together to compete for the title of the first 2012 IPSF World Pole Sport Gold Medal Champion.  We talk to event organiser KT Coates to find out more...

1.Tell us more about your Pole Sport Olympic text exhibition event in July Championships? How did it come about and what do you hope to achieve?
Over 60 athletes from 25 countries have been hand selected to take part in the world championships. Each competitor has either placed first or second in a national or international competition. The event has been created as the first of many steps for us to be included in the Olympic games. This all came about in 2005 when I decided we needed to show the world what we can really do. I wanted recognition for our sport so I decided to set up an online petition to gage peoples response. The feedback was fantastic. I then got together with tim and we created the IPSF.

2.Who’s taking part and what can we expect to see? 
38 female athletes, five doubles and 10 male athletes. We also have a Para pole athlete performing. This is the first event of its kind and it’s a gruelling two day for both athletes and judges. We have 18 judges for 7 different countries who have applied to become the first officially trained judges. Top names include Raffle Montanaro, Nico, Alexandra Marchetti, Hanka, and many more top athletes, we have the mother of pole judging Fawnia along with Sam Remmer, Elena Gibson and many more specialist trained judges

3.You’ve been in the pole industry for quite a while having released instructional DVD’s, running your own pole school and teacher training programs. How and did you first get interested in pole dancing and what made you become an instructor?
Hahahaha...quite a long time someone once called me the godmother of pole which made me laugh. When I was younger I only did things I was good at and I found I had a natural talent and fearlessness that made me good at pole. I was a show girl in the Raymond’s review bar many years ago and I taught myself every tithing I knew there. It was a fantastic place and it had the best spinning brass poles I have ever used and they were 60 years old!



4.What is it about pole dancing that you enjoy the most?
The freedom to do whatever trick, style or piece of music you like. They way it has defined my body and the fact that pole has taught me to be a business woman.

5.What are your 3 favourite pole moves and why?
1. Hand spring. I learnt this before the days of YouTube and I had been trying it a few weeks when got it. I will never forget the feeling!
2. Reverse grab as it’s as close as you can get to flying on the pole
3. The electric KT as I made it up by accident and it’s still a cool trick today

6.What are the main fitness benefits of pole dancing and how has pole dancing improved your fitness, strength or body shape?
Pole ticks every fitness benefit box. Physical fitness, mental fitness, cardio fitness, coordination, balance, flexibility, strength, endurance the list goes on. I think pole for my six pack!

7.What’s your favourite move for strength training on the pole?
Reverse curl leg lowers

8.What pole performers do you admire or inspire you?
Oona I love her performance she has always been a favourite of mine before she even became famous and I love her honesty as a person. I am in love with pink puma. I saw her perform in Russia and it is the first time I had seen an almost flawless performance she is breath taking.  Jenyne is a true performer. I also judged Marlow once and she is wonderful.



9.If someone has never tried pole dancing before how would you advise them they to get started? (This can be at home, taking lessons or both)
Do your research and find a good safe instructor. Take a look at the PDC website for a good one.

10.What’s next for you in the coming year?
I am in the USA a lot teaching. I’m off to the pole expo which I’m looking forward to.

11. What are your hopes for the pole dancing scene/industry in the UK for 2012?
To be recognised as an official sport.

Find out more about KT here