My first Zouk Competition

Canberra’s BSZD 17

It only took me two and a half years, but I finally entered my very first dance competition. Earlier this month, Salsabor Dance Studio hosted an event, ‘Canberra’s best social Zouk dancer’. Part of Latin Tuesdays held at Highball Express in Canberra, it was a great night of dancing, but you don’t need to take my word for it… One of our DJs, Allan Dantas, put together an awesome YouTube clip so you you can check out all the highlights here.

I hadn’t danced in any competitions before this for a few reasons (read: excuses). I seemed to always be out of town when they were on, or just never thought my Zouk was good enough. Part of the reason I decided to enter this one is because Latin Tuesdays always has a full dance floor and not much Zouk. And I wanted to be able to have a dance and not worry about bumping into anyone. Makes complete sense doesn’t it?!

Canberra’sBSZD 17 – Counter-balance

Canberra’s BSZD 17

I entered the Advanced category with Mitch, who started dancing Zouk around the same time as I did. He is one of my dance cohort that I wrote about in an earlier blog. We had heaps of fun and executed a great counter-balance that was the highlight of our dance. The competition was fierce with the return of my old Zouk instructor to the scene who won first place. I was surprised and honoured to come in second with Mitch as the other couples all had some great moves. Most importantly, we all had a wonderful time on a dance floor just for us.

For me, the best thing about the competition had little to do with me at all. One of the most inspiring things was to see some of my students enter the competition in the Amateur division. Some of them had only danced Zouk for a few months, but that didn’t stop them. They got up with more courage than I ever had when I started and owned the floor. I watched as their passion for dance lit up the room.

I take my hat off to you; my Zouklings.

You showed me that I had hidden behind my excuses for too long, and most excitingly, that the Canberra Zouk community is growing in skill and confidence. I will no longer shy away from competitions and look at them as opportunities to improve my skill. As well as an opportunity to take up the whole floor with styling.

Canberra’sBSZD 17 – the competition

So the next challenge I have set myself will be a competition choreography for the Canberra Latin Dance Championships next year. Hopefully followed by the Australian Latin Dance Championships…

Watch this space!