We arrived, after a long and foggy drive, just in time for the intermediate ballroom. I confess to being a little confused at first as to what level I was actually watching as there was such a huge variation in standard. However there was no variation in the level of enjoyment, each and every couple was obviously having a lot of fun!
It is still early in the year and it was apparent in the intermediate ballroom that there were couples new to each other, couples new to this level and well established, experienced couples all dancing in the same competition. The cut in numbers through to the next round seemed rather harsh and I would have liked an additional round in place to give some of the less experienced dancers a bit more encouragement and chance to dance again, at this point I`d better confess to a personal interest in this particular comp though and am therefore not unbiased in my opinion! However as university competitions seem to be gaining in popularity year on year the pressure of numbers from beginners and novice entries seems to impact particularly heavily on the amount of time available for intermediate rounds. Well done to those dancers who made the final, the standard was high!
The advanced ballroom was lovely to watch with Sam and Katie taking the honours for the home team. For the first time I was able to really watch all the advanced dancers in a relaxed frame of mind as I did not have a personal interest and I thoroughly enjoyed being entertained without suffering any of the usual associated angst!
After a short break it was time for the Latin section and watching this years beginners I think next years novices will very good! I was struck by how much more extrovert many beginner dancers are now compared to just 5 years ago. There seems to be a huge willingness to just ‘go for it’ and leave inhibition at the side of the floor. I wonder if many of the students have been listening to the judges’ comments on Strictly?
The overall dancing in Novice was also good and again this early in the season you could see lots of potential coupled with inexperience. As students are only permitted to dance beginners for one year the novice category always seems to have a large variation in ability. From those dancers with a couple of seasons under their belts who with the confidence and choreography could easily hold their own in intermediate to those newly up from beginners.
I would really make the same comments about the intermediate Latin as the ballroom and I did particularly enjoy the final. There is some very good dancing emerging as the standard gets better and better each season.
In the advanced Latin there were sadly only two couples. I would have liked to see some of the intermediates dancing in this comp and it is a shame when lack of confidence seems to hold dancers back. However, winners Alex and Kirsty (Southampton), and Raymond and Eva (Imperial) treated us to some lovely dancing. I`d guess the judges had a tough decision to make, both couples danced really well with differing strengths and styles.
Next came the demonstration and I was pleased that for once the demo was early, when a comp is on a Sunday not everyone can stay till late evening. Neil and Ekaterina fresh from winning at the Nationals and en-route to Hong Kong entertained us with a superb show. I can truly say I have never enjoyed a demo so much! I loved the humour, the story telling, the choice of music and, well, everything about it really, my only complaint? I wanted it to go on for longer!!!
Next came the rock and roll section and at uni comps it always confuses me. I am used to the style and technique displayed by dancers at ISTD competitions so feel completely out of my depth when watching dancing which seems to bear little resemblance to that which I expect. However, a couple of girls in purple tops caught my eye and all the competitors very obviously enjoyed themselves.
The Salsa competition was good to watch with a huge range of styles and abilities. I loved the fact that dancers from all levels in the main comps were all competing together and having fun.
Sadly at that point we had to depart and I did not get to watch the team match. The spectator volume was already cranking up as we left and I would guess it was a loud, enjoyable evening. Oxford apparently took the honours and as I was there that day as an Oxford supporter I was jolly pleased. The icing on the cake? We won first prize in the raffle!
Well done and thank you to everyone involved in organising the day!
Debbie Duke
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