Aerial Competition Team

What is USAAO?

The United States Aerial Arts Organization seeks to bring aerial arts to mainstream sports, with the eventual goal of meeting the requirements to be recognized as an Olympic Sport! Their mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and professional platform for aerialists of all ages and skill levels. Competitors are judged on artistry, creativity, and technical execution, making it an amazing opportunity to grow as both an athlete and performer.

*Refuge Aerial is an affiliate studio of USAAO.

Who Can Compete?

Anyone ages 7 and up! Competitor categories are based on gender, age, and experience (amateur, elite, career, and para-athlete), so you’ll compete with others in your age range and general competing experience.

*We recommend having a year or more of aerial experience in order to compete, so competitors can be sure to include all elements of the judging criteria.

Apparatus categories: Lollipop Lyra, Silks, Hoop (double & single point), Sling, and Specialty Apparatuses (Trapeze, Straps, Cube, etc. *Must be approved)

What makes USAAO Unique?

We support USAAO because of its attention to safety, both on and off the stage. All members and coaches are required to be SafeSport Certified through the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

It is an organization founded, lead, and judged by aerialists.

Its judging criteria allows space for the “art” of aerial arts while providing clear expectations for mainstream sport applications.

USAAO offers competition pre-checks to help coaches and competitors best prepare, as well as hosts virtual, domestic, and international competitions.

Input Considerations

Depending on our competition team applications, we may do mandatory group classes or private lessons divided by age range and apparatus in order to provide a focused environment for competition prep. Our preparation timeline will look different for each competition (especially since the first one is so soon!).

Our team will have matching costumes (variations possible based on apparatus), and each competitor will be responsible for their own registration and travel fees. We are hoping to be able to travel as a team and share costs when able!