Five minutes with Nicole & Callum

Get to know two of our awesome Christchurch students a bit better!

How long have you been at the studio?

Callum: I'm not entirely sure but I must be coming up somewhere near the 18 month mark?

Nicole: I think about 2 years but I've been doing pole on and off for about 7 years!

What do you do in 'real life'?

Callum: I just finished my computer science degree assuming I haven't failed any of my final semester exams..... FREEDOM!!!

Nicole: I'm a qualified electrician.

What is your favourite pole video and/or poler?

Callum: Just about any video from superstrongjeremy.... The guy is so springy and somehow always looks so happy during all of his combos. Outside of that I love Bjarke Hellden for his cross discipline stuff, combines Chinese pole with his freerunning background and ends up doing ridiculous things like back handsprings from starfish.

Nicole: I don't have a specific favourite, it kinda changes depending on what I'm working on. At the moment I like watching Kitty Velour and Peach Lee Ray for floorwork stuff and Sarah Scott for trick stuff.

As a beginner, what move did you struggle the most with?

Callum: Basic crucifix! I was really off and on with holding this for a long time and took quite a bit of skin off the top of one of my feet when working on it. Turned out I was somehow offloading the grip to my feet/ankle area instead of gripping with my thighs..... Leg grip is your friend, get used to it!! 

Nicole: Definitely knee hold, I still haven't got it because it hurts and I don't even like it anyways haha

Give us a fun fact about yourself

Callum:  What classifies as fun here? Ummm I used to be a freerunner pre-pole off and on for 5 or so years. Oh! I can also play 3 instruments (flute, guitar and bass).... Been a while since I've properly practiced them all mind you.

Nicole: My other main hobby apart from pole is just playing PlayStation! I play Sombra in Overwatch and a hunter in Destiny!