The following are the rules for the South Island Swing Dance Competitions 2024. If there are any questions around these please get in touch with us at swingtownrebels@gmail.com
We reserve the right to cancel a category if insufficient entries are received to run it.
General Rules
1. Moves, music and styling in all events should predominantly be in the appropriate style for that event (e.g. lindy hop, blues, solo jazz). For showcases the aim should be swing based routines but this is a relaxed rule and judgement of the relative merits of each routine is left to the judges discretion).
2. To enter the Tuakana-Teina competition as a Teina you must have started learning swing dancing in 2023 or 2024.
3. Aerials are permitted in all divisions but dangerous behaviour (e.g. carrying out an aerial that lands on or dangerously near another couple) may get you disqualified.
4. If there are sufficient numbers to run heats, heats and then a final will be run. Heats will consist of all skate dancing.
5. Finals will usually consist of a mixture of all skate and shines. Finalists will typically be required to do multiple 8×8 count shines (2 phrases), with at least two – four standard depending on the category, and more at the judges discretion. In the solo category these will be two at a time (not on your own in the spotlight!) and for the Tuakana-Teina category there are no shines, just an all skate. (updated from previous rule).
6. Judges decisions are final.
Judging Criteria:
The following are areas the judges will be looking for:
1. Technique: The ability of the dancers to use core dance and movement technique to precisely execute swing dance steps.
2. Lead & Follow: The skill of clear leading and following techniques that enable the flow, individual expression, moves, musicality and execution of the dance.
3. Timing: How well the couple stays in time with the music and each other. Flow and connection.
4. Entertainment: Showmanship and entertainment value of the performance, ability of the competitors to engage with the crowd
5. Level of Difficulty: The complexity of the moves and interaction between the couple, lead and follow ability in the context of the moves and musicality. Innovation will also be rewarded under this criterion, being the ability of the couple to execute moves to the music that are clearly not scripted/choreographed moves (excluding the team showcase division).
6. Musicality: How the music is interpreted by a couple, suitable expression of the music, use of musical highlights. Interpretation and understanding of phrasings.
7. Challenge level: Competitors are encouraged to challenge themselves and their dancing level rather than “playing it safe” even if it is at the expense of getting things perfect.