CIPS Storm Poet Registration NOW OPEN!

Register as a Storm Poet for the 2025 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam!!

CIPS takes place from April 16 to April 19, 2025. All competing poets must be available for CIPS Orientation on the morning of April 16th, as well as evening competitions (beginning at 7 PM PST) on April 16, 17 and 19.CIPS is a hybrid competition: poets may choose to compete in-person or online (via Zoom). All in-person events will take place at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St).

ABOUT REGISTRATION
Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. To secure a spot in CIPS, fill out this registration form.
Once your form response has been received by the CIPS Tournament Director, you will receive an email to confirm your registration status and, if applicable, how to complete payment. The cost to register is $75. Poets on the wait list will be invited to pay registration if or when a spot opens up.
Poets registered in CIPS receive a Verses Festival Pass (which provides discounted registration to for the Beau Sia master class) and free registration in workshops that are exclusive to CIPS poets.

CIPS FORMAT:

CIPS will return to the original format in 2025:
  • All participants will perform a minimum of 4 poems during two, 2-round preliminary bouts on April 16th and April 17th.
    • Preliminary bouts will feature up to 12 poets, with randomly selected judges giving scores between 0.0 and 10.0.
    • Bouts on April 16th will feature 2-minute and 3-minute poems.
    • Bouts on April 17th will feature of 4-minute and 1-minute poems.
  • The 10 highest-ranked poets after preliminaries will compete in CIPS Finals on April 19th.
    • CIPS Finals will feature three rounds of 3-minute poems, with “cut from below” elimination reducing the field between each round from 10 to 7 to 4.
    • Poets must NOT repeat any material during the competition.
Full details about the competition are available here.