Rules & Regulations

Rules

Rules for the California Massage Championships on

Northern California: April 13 & 14, 2024

Southern California: April 20 & 21, 2024

Purpose Statement

The California Massage Championships is a FUN gathering of Educated massage therapists who want to showcase their talents, learn new techniques, be inspired by the work of other therapists, and network with like-minded professionals in a friendly atmosphere. We’ve chosen a contest environment to challenge therapists in any chosen modality to do their individual best and as a way of evaluating basics within standard categories that all therapists can excel in.

The California Massage Championships is a recognized member of the U.S. Assoc. of Massage Championships and is supported by the World Massage Festival and the American Massage Championships (licensee of the International Massage Association).

Who Can Enter?

Any state-licensed massage therapist can enter. Only CA state-certified or those who've completed 500 hours at an accredited massage school who also can show they are currently insured can win overall medals. A new Student category was added this year. Out-of-state LMTs are able to win categories.

Participants will also receive a massage. A strong esthetic presentation is highly encouraged. You may promote your style, schools, businesses, etc.

How can one compete in massage?

You must fill out a registration form with CMC https://californiamassagechampionships.org/register/. Once CMC determines that you are eligible, you will receive an email with instructions on paying your fee. You are registered once your non-refundable fee is paid in full.

Costs & Entry Fees

Entry Fee is $300

Both North and South is $500


Entry fees are non-refundable. Registration closes on 5/13/24.

This will be a Two Day event. We will soon be listing hotels for you to stay in that will be close to or on the premises of the coming event.

(view 'Hotel Options' below for more information)

Hotel Options:

Coming Soon!

Meals & Water:

As catered meals** within a commercial venue of this sort are very costly, we encourage participants and their guests to either bring water, snacks and a packed lunch/dinner OR venture out to the many less expensive restaurant options surrounding the massage location. You will have a two-hour lunch break in order to rest and rejuvenate. You will only have an hour for dinner before the finals.

Participation/Dress Code:

Each Massage Therapist can participate in 1 or 2 categories. Non-English speaking participants can bring their own translator for briefing speeches and general communication.

Participants must bring their own tables, sheets, towels, tools, etc.

Participants are allowed to wear personal sponsorship clothing or any other National suit that fits the category. Participants must wear sports shoes, sports pants or yoga pants, T-shirts, etc.



The recipient of the massage must wear at least a thong underwear at all times and have covered their chest (they are female recipient). Any area which is not being worked on must be covered/draped.


No personal cameras are allowed during the rounds and the final. Unauthorized use of cameras and recordings can result in expulsion.


There is an absolute zero-tolerance policy concerning inappropriate behavior. Any massage of sensual/sexual nature would result in immediate disqualification and expulsion from the Championship.


All participants may be required to receive massages as well as give massages. If necessary, CMC will be able to arrange for suitable candidates/massage recipients in particular cases.

No chiropractic and osteopathic manipulations are allowed during the competition.

Insurance:

Your own insurance covers both you and the participant you treat during the competition. LMTs must be fully insured during the competition.”

Competition Area and Time:

Each Competitors area is a 10 ft x 10 ft used during the preliminary rounds. It will hold a maximum of 1 massage table at a time.

Massage tables and Participants must bring their own tables, sheets, towels, tools, etc. are not provided. The participants will adjust the height of the tables. An open/public area and/or deck will be used for the finals and will hold a maximum of 4 massage tables/chairs.


Depending on the number of entrants, participants will be divided into groups of two or three. The location of each participant's table/chair and receiver will be chosen at random by the judges/organizers.


Spectators are allowed in preliminary and final rounds. Please note, there are no shower facilities.

CMC decides which music will be played during the championship.


The duration of each round is 60 minutes (excluding the 15 min examination).


You will have a maximum of 15 minutes to read your client's intake and ask them any questions needed to…

  • Ensure your awareness of their physical condition (looking for any cautions, contraindications, or preferences)
  • Ensure their understanding of the massage process.


During these 15 minutes, the judges will come around to each contestant and ask what you will be doing for your client in the round (introduce yourself, give category/style, disclose any innovations or new methods, etc.).

The Judges:

The Judges are all highly skilled within their categories and have all taken the IMA Judge’s Course.


In the final round, the receivers will be CMC judges.


Judges will evaluate the participants in the following areas with a point system:

  • Techniques
  • Ergonomics
  • Flow
  • Innovation and Development of new methods
  • Client Contact
  • Recipient feedback


Participants are informed, that the judges at the competition are capable of evaluating the individual treatment and please note, that a treatment can be placed in several categories.


The participants cannot expect score results from the judges either during or after the competition. Judges will give feedback to participants on a case-by-case basis. Final scores will be posted at a time of the judges' discretion.

All decisions regarding the competition are made collectively within the group of Judges to ensure the competition is as fair as possible. In the event of a disagreement among the judges, the head judge will make the final decision.


Participants cannot be judged by their family/friends, business partners, or instructors. If CMC faces this conflict, the participant will be given a weighted score (average) from remaining eligible judges.

The Final:

The Duration of the Final is 60 minutes.

Massage recipients (Professional and highly educated Massage Therapist Judges) hand up to 6 points depending on their experience of the massage they receive.

The remaining judges can hand out 3 points each to only one finalist.

The Winner will be the Massage Therapist who gets the most points during the final round, and he/she will be appointed as the Overall California Massage Champions in Massage for that year.

3 Criteria Defined:
  • “The flow of the massage” means a continuous non-stop movement and variation of techniques performed by the therapist.
  • “Ergonomics” How do the therapists use their own bodies (work environment) and their remedies (Massage tables etc.)
  • “Techniques” Different techniques are used in each category. Innovative and effective techniques for both therapist and client.

NOTE! Lectures, the preliminary rounds, the final, and the prize giving will be recorded on TV and used for future marketing on social media. This goes for pictures as well. By participating in California Massage Championships, you are allowing the CMC to do so

Categories:

you may enter two categories.

  • Swedish massage (Western massage including classical massage, sports massage, MFR, MET, neuromuscular techniques, stretching etc.)
  • Asian massage (Thai massage, Shiatsu, Tui Na, Ayurveda etc.)
  • Wellness massage (Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, spa massage, lymph drainage, holistic massage etc)
  • Free style massage (Western inspired) (Combination of different types of western massage methods, self-treatment, mobilization, cupping, massage with tools, bodywork etc.)
  • Free style massage (Eastern inspired) Combination of different types of Asian massage methods (Shiatsu, Acupressure, Thai massage, cupping, massage with tools, etc.)
  • Sports massage (Deep-Tissue massage, MFR, MET, neuromuscular techniques, stretching etc.)
  • Chair massage (both Western and Eastern inspired massage)
  • Facial massage (Japanese facelifting, Gua Sha, Classical facial spa treatment etc.)
  • Facial massage without chemical peels, extractions, etc.
  • Clinical massage ( 60 minutes + interviews. You must show that you can assess and treat a problem area, demonstrate/explain how and why the treatment type was a good choice, exhibit efficacy)
  • Thai massage (full body massage which uses a mixture of deep tissue pressure, muscle and joint stretching, and gentle adjustments of the body)
Winners/Prizes**:

certificates will be emailed

  • Gold, silver, and bronze winners will receive medals & certificates in each of the 4 categories
  • Best Overall Presentation (attire, massage table/mat/side table set-up) receives a certificate
  • Overall Finals Champions: gold, silver and bronze medals & certificates*

1st place/Gold Overall Champion gets a FREE entrance into the World Massage Festival ($400 value) and the American Massage Championship ($250 value) held in Cherokee, NC, in July 2024 at the fabulous Harrah’s Resort.


*A single, double certificate will be produced for those winning in a category and in the finals. Ex.) Sally Smith: “1st place/Gold in Swedish Massage and 2nd place/Silver Overall in the 2024 California Massage Championship.”

**At this time, we are not providing continuing education, meals, or cash prizes. As we attain sponsors for this event and weigh out our costs, we can do that. Stay tuned, as this is our first year. We are doing our best to make this the best event possible for you.