TWO competitors from a Walloon business will be taking their ‘creative flair in the air’ to new levels when they compete in the Bend the Air competition at the La Boite Theatre in on August 28 and 29.
Bend The Air is the next evolution of the modern circus industry. They present an annual, multi-level aerial, acrobatics and circus competition in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
The competition is centred on three main categories, aerials, acro and circus where each competitor competes in different sections based on skill level and age, receiving individual scores according to their performance.
Steph Mouw and Victoria Hogarth started training at the Activ8 studio in Walloon with teacher Donna Pottinger one year ago and they will compete as a duo and as a solo.
Steph specialises in Medical Science for work. She applied for the final and was placed in the advanced lyra solo section.
She said she felt pleased, excited and overwhelmed as she now prepares with Victoria for this weekend’s competition in both the solo and duo category.
“In my solo routine I will compete to the song ‘Black Roses’, my routine will include different drops, rolls, moves on the top of lyra and some floor work.
“One of the most challenging moves is called the Jam Donut. This it is a move which involves sitting on top of the Lyra, then hanging upside down.
“When I perform with the Lyra, I find it to be a very beautiful and graceful experience that not only looks amazing but also changes me through endurance and sometimes pain.
“Once I am on stage, I feel like I can just be me.
“The music gets louder and the lights get brighter, I get lost in the music and make the stage my own.
“There are so many tricks and poses that you can choose to do and I really enjoy pushing myself even when sometimes some moves can be slightly painful on the Lyra.”
Victoria works as a registered nurse. She will be competing in two solo performances one in the Open Apparatus to the song ‘Moon Dust’ and one in the Amateur Lyra.
She said she is looking forward to competing in her solos and also as a duo with Steph.
“It is all about strength, synchronisation and chemistry when competing as a duo and once you find this rhythm it becomes like performing as one,” she said.
“There is a real sense of freedom when you are in the air performing, and I am so excited to compete,” she said.
“Our teacher Donna is absolutely amazing, she is a fantastic holistic teacher who teaches us to love ourselves and I have learnt so much from her.”
The ladies will be supported by their instructor Donna, friends, partners and other athletes from Active8.
They said the group is like family who all support and help each other achieve personal goals.
